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For many years after Independence, there was no long term vision in health sector: PM

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Prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday claimed that for several decades after Independence, there was a lack of an integrated approach and long term vision in the health sector.

“For several decades after Independence, there was a lack of an integrated approach and a long-term vision in health. We have not kept healthcare restricted only to the health ministry, but have emphasised on the whole of the government approach,” he said while addressing a webinar on “Health and Medical Research”.

It has been the endeavour of the Centre, to make medical treatment affordable in India, the Prime Minister added.

“That has been the thought behind providing free medical treatment of upto Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Under this, approximately Rs 80,000 crore, that would’ve been spent on medical treatments, were saved,” he said further.

For serious diseases, quality and modern health infrastructure in the country is important, the PM said.

Government’s focus is also on ensuring that people get testing facilities near their homes and there are better facilities for first aid, he added.

For this, he said, 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres are being prepared in the country, the prime minister informed.

Referring to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Prime Minister said that it showed that when such a crisis occurs, even developed systems of prosperous nations collapse.

“World is now much more focussed on health. But India’s approach is not restricted to healthcare, we’re also working on ensuring wellness,” he added.

“Corona also taught us that supply chain has become a very important matter. When the pandemic was at its peak, for some countries even life-saving things like medicines, vaccines, and medical devices had become weapons,” the Prime Minister noted.

Reminding the audience that India helped many nations by providing vaccines to them, he said, “That’s why we have kept a vision before the world – ‘One Earth, One Health’ – holistic healthcare for everyone.”

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U’khand tragedy: Car with Haridwar family plunges into Alaknanda River; one rescued, five feared dead

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New Delhi, April 12: In a heartbreaking incident near Devprayag, Uttarakhand, a car carrying a family from Haridwar plunged into a 300-metre-deep gorge and sank into the Alaknanda River near the Badshah Hotel area on Saturday.

The vehicle, a Thar SUV, was en route to the revered Dhari Devi temple when the tragedy occurred. One woman was rescued from the scene, while five other occupants of the car, including two children, are feared dead.

According to initial reports, the victims belonged to a family from Roorkee in Haridwar district. The lone survivor, 55-year-old Anita, wife of Shri Madan Singh, was rescued by local police and emergency responders.

She was rushed to the Base Hospital in Srinagar for urgent medical care. Anita is originally from Chamoli district but currently resides in Roorkee.

As per her account, the SUV had six occupants at the time of the accident, two women, two children, and one man in addition to herself.

The driver of the vehicle reportedly lost control of the SUV near the Badshah Hotel area in the Devprayag police jurisdiction and tumbled into a steep gorge, eventually landing in the fast-flowing waters of the Alaknanda River.

Rescue teams, including personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the local police, quickly reached the site and launched a search operation.

Station incharge Mahipal Rawat confirmed that intensive efforts are underway to retrieve the vehicle and the presumed deceased individuals from the river. The challenging terrain and strong water currents are complicating the rescue and recovery operations.

The incident has cast a pall of grief over the area, and authorities are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution while navigating the mountainous and often treacherous roads in Uttarakhand, especially during the pilgrimage season.

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Mamata Banerjee to hold meeting with Bengal imams next week on opposing Waqf Act

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Kolkata, April 11: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with the imams, muezzins, and religious leaders from the Muslim community in the state on April 16 to prepare the blueprint on how to oppose the recently promulgated Waqf Amendment Act.

The venue of the meeting will be Netaji Indoor Stadium in central Kolkata.

Firhad Hakim, the West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister and the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, will also be present at the meeting.

Recently, at a programme of the Jain community in Kolkata, the Chief Minister gave a subtle message to the Union government that the Waqf Amendment Act will not be implemented in West Bengal.

He also described the Waqf Act as an “attempt to snatch others’ property”.

“Just as no one has the right to snatch my property, similarly, I too do not have the right to snatch others’ property. In West Bengal, I will never allow that. In West Bengal, the people from the minority community are almost 33 per cent of the population. Always remember that your Didi is there to protect you and your property. Our mission should be — ‘Jio Aur Jine Do (Live and let live)’,” CM Banerjee said on Wednesday.

Political observers feel that the proposed meeting at Netaji Indoor Stadium on April 16 will be an extension of the Chief Minister’s proclamation as regards the Act and the involvement of the imams, muezzins, and religious leaders from the Muslim community had been done to ensure that future movements on this issue take a bigger shape in the coming days.

Haikm, on Friday, told media persons that West Bengal is fortunate to have a Chief Minister as a result of which the interests of people from all religious communities are protected in the state.

“In West Bengal, there is no question of misrule arising out of attempts to divide people on the basis of religious beliefs. Our protests against the Waqf Amendment Act will continue,” he said.

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Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman backs new law; says it will empower Muslim community

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Raipur, April 11: Chhattisgarh Waqf Board Chairman, Dr Salim Raj, has welcomed the Waqf (Amendment) Act, calling it a progressive step that will benefit the Muslim community a great deal. He said the new law would ensure better management of Waqf properties and promote education and development within the community.

Dr Raj stated, “This is a historic move by the BJP-led central government. Under the amended law, land belonging to mosques, dargahs, and graveyards will not be acquired by the government. Waqf properties will be redeveloped for the community’s good.”

He said that the amendment aims to introduce transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties, which he claims are currently plagued by misuse and illegal occupation.

“In Chhattisgarh, nearly 85 per cent of Waqf land is under illegal possession or is being arbitrarily controlled by Maulanas and Mutawallis (caretakers). This law will put an end to such unregulated control and bring these assets under legal scrutiny.”

Dr Raj argued that Waqf properties, worth crores of rupees, are underutilised, yielding no return for the community.

“If these assets are managed properly, the revenue generated can be invested in education for Muslim children and the overall uplift of the community,” he said.

He also announced that a new team would soon survey Waqf properties across the state. “The team will assess the current condition of properties, ensure proper usage, fix market-aligned rent values, and initiate recovery of encroached lands. The goal is to use every piece of Waqf land for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Dr. Raj also took a strong stance against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s opposition to the implementation of the new law in her state.

“Is Mamata Banerjee above the Constitution? If the law has been passed by Parliament, she is bound to implement it. Refusing to do so amounts to a violation of constitutional responsibility. Her position reflects vote-bank politics and nothing else,” he remarked.

He further stated that such resistance only hinders the socio-economic progress of the Muslim community and politicises a reform meant for its betterment.

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