Social welfare dept takes yoga to elderly, youth
International Yoga Day
with senior citizens and students across the state, holding yoga sessions in all old age homes and Jayaprakash Narayan Sarvodaya Vidyalayas in keeping with this year's 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'.
"Over 6,500 elderly residents of old age homes performed yoga under expert supervision. Simultaneously, students of Sarvodaya Vidyalayas participated in group yoga sessions with their teachers, taking a pledge to lead healthy lives," said an official. In Varanasi, BHU yoga expert Vinod Kumar Patel led session and explained benefits of yoga. In Mahoba, yoga instructor Prem Narayan Swarnkar led a session at the Aadharshila old age home, while in Bahraich's old age home, instructors Ajay Kumar Chaudhary, Dr Ram Gopal and others taught simple asanas to elderly residents.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Business Standard
AYUSH sector moving towards $200 billion target: Prataprao Jadhav
TheAYUSHindustry is steadily moving towards the 200 billion dollar target aided by a strong network of research councils, statutory bodies and national institutes, Union AYUSHMinister Prataprao Jadhav said. He made the remarks at a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry ofAYUS Hheld here on Tuesday. Jadhav, who chaired the meeting, highlighted that for the first time since the Ministry ofAYUSHbecame an independent ministry in 2014, a dedicated Parliamentary Consultative Committee has been established, according to a statement. He said this important step will help ensure focused discussions, better attention to Ayush-related matters, and stronger policy direction. It will further enhance the ministry's role in promoting a more holistic and globally recognised healthcare system, the statement said. Highlighting the growth of Ayush, he said, Under the leadership of Prime Minister, AYUSH has grown rapidly with a strong network of research councils, statutory bodies and national institutes". "Through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the NationalAYUSHMission, health services are reaching millions, while theAYUSHindustry is steadily moving towards the 200 billion dollar target. Speaking on global outreach and innovation, Jadhav said, The International Day of Yoga 2025, held under the theme Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' marked a remarkable milestone with over 3 lakh participants joining in Visakhapatnam this year. "This powerful display of unity and wellness reflects the growing global embrace of yoga. Alongside, initiatives such as Prakriti Parikshan and moringa-basedAYUSHdiets showcase our commitment to evidence-based research, preventive healthcare, and the promotion of healthy, sustainable lifestyles, he said. During the meeting, MP Purshottam Rupala suggested that the Ministry ofAYUSHenhance public awareness through campaigns. MP Laxmikant Bajpayee noted that Ayurveda played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic and may have helped save many lives, the statement said. He also recommended the establishment of newAYUSHWellness Centres to further expand access to traditional healthcare. MP Dr Swami Sachidanand Hari Sakshi said the Committee members have expressed solidarity in the expansion and promotion of AYUSH, the statement said. MP Krishna Prasad stated that a developed India (Viksit Bharat) can become a reality only if AYUSH continues to grow and expand. He urged efforts to increase the availability ofAYUSHservices and to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding AYUSH, the statement said. Highlighting the Korba tribes of Chhattisgarh, MP Jyotsna Charandas Mahant proposed a systematic field engagement to document their traditional healing practices and integrate these insights into AYUSH.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Time of India
Milk testing flags LSD early; 355 cases reported in 11 dists of state
SLUG: FRESH WAVE Ahmedabad: Gujarat is facing a fresh wave of lumpy skin disease (LSD), with 355 confirmed cases and eight animal deaths reported as of Monday, sparking renewed concern among farmers and veterinary officials. This is the second major outbreak in three years, with the 2022 episode having claimed around 1,500 livestock, mostly in the north Gujarat region. Officials from the state animal husbandry department said that early detection of the virus was made possible through proactive ground-level surveillance, especially by testing milk samples for viral and bacterial presence at the source. This form of milk-based disease surveillance served as a critical early warning signal, according to sources in the department. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The sources added that initial cases were detected during milk testing in a few districts of the Saurashtra region. Currently, 28 cases were active, mainly in Tapi, Surendranagar, Botad, and Ahmedabad districts. Of the total 355 cases recorded across 104 villages in 11 districts, officials reported that 90% of the infected animals have recovered, 8% are under treatment, and 2% have succumbed. The eight reported deaths include five in Surendranagar, two in Surat, and one in Navsari. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Dr Falguni Thakar, director of the state's animal husbandry department, told TOI that while the situation is less severe than in 2022, it remains serious. "The current strain shows low virulence and infectivity. Most fatalities have occurred among sub-adult animals that missed vaccination due to age criteria," she said. More than 6.29 lakh cattle were vaccinated across the state, with vaccinated animals showing minimal infection, Thakar added. Officials have urged farmers and cattle rearers to ensure timely vaccination of all livestock to avoid further spread or loss. The outbreak also puts the spotlight on the state's broader One Health initiative—an integrated approach that monitors human, animal, and environmental health. As part of this, Gujarat has implemented wastewater and air surveillance for the early detection of pathogens, while milk sampling is helping flag potential disease outbreaks in livestock. In Ahmedabad, wastewater monitoring is already in use to track early signs of Covid-19. Similar methods applied to milk are proving instrumental in detecting diseases like LSD. Govt sources confirmed that genetic analysis was underway to determine whether the current virus strain matches the one that wreaked havoc in 2022. With growing concerns over recurring livestock diseases and their economic impact, officials stress that ongoing surveillance, vaccination, and rapid response are crucial to preventing another large-scale crisis. (GFX sent to designers) Table: Most affected Districts in state District Total Cases Active Cases Deaths Surendranagar 137 6 5 Surat 66 2 2 Rajkot 61 2 0 Tapi 28 8 0 Morbi 27 0 0 Amreli 14 2 0 Gujarat 355 28 8 Source: Gujarat Animal Husbandry Department (figures till Aug 4) Pointers: What is Lumpy Skin Disease - LSD is a viral disease primarily seen in cattle and buffalo - Primary symptoms are fever, skin nodules, and enlarged lymph nodes - It is transmitted through bites of insects like flies, mosquitoes, and ticks - It reduces milk production, causes hide damage, and can even lead to death - It is not zoonotic. It is not transmitted to humans
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ensuring animal welfare is crucial to prevent zoonotic diseases
The recent reopening of Gorakhpur and Kanpur zoos after a 56-day closure due to a bird flu scare has once again highlighted the ever-present threat of zoonotic diseases in India. In the aftermath of such incidents, much of the public discussion and policy response tends to focus on disease management systems, including surveillance, laboratory upgrades, and emergency protocols. However, as India observed World Zoonoses Day on July 6, 2025, with the theme One World, One Health: Prevent Zoonoses, it is important to recognise that animal welfare remains a critical but often overlooked factor in preventing zoonotic diseases. Zoo (REPRESENTATIVE PIC) In India, common zoonoses such as Japanese encephalitis, leptospirosis, scrub typhus, kyasanur forest disease, brucellosis, and rabies have caused significant public health challenges in recent years. India's approach to zoonotic disease prevention has evolved considerably, guided by a growing understanding of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health through the One Health framework. Despite this progress, the scale of the challenge remains significant. The World Organization for Animal Health reports that over 60% of existing infectious diseases and 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic. According to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), India records a median of seven zoonotic outbreaks every month, making it one of the countries with the highest burdens of infectious and zoonotic diseases globally. India's efforts to address zoonotic diseases have been shaped by the One Health approach, which seeks to integrate human, animal and environmental health systems. The National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, which is active across all states and union territories, is a testament to this shift. The priorities of the programme include strengthening surveillance, building laboratory capacity, and fostering intersectoral coordination. In October last year, the department of animal husbandry and dairying launched the Pandemic Fund Project 'Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response'. This $25 million fund is directed towards ensuring enhanced disease surveillance, improved laboratory networks, and better emergency response mechanisms. Despite these advances in recognising animal health as key to preventing zoonoses, India's current policy framework remains heavily reliant on disease surveillance and outbreak control, with limited attention to the broader dimensions of animal health. Intensified livestock production to meet rising protein demands and rapid deforestation due to unplanned urbanisation have led to dense human-animal habitations putting India at a critical juncture. Research shows that healthy and well-cared for animals are less likely to become reservoirs or amplifiers of zoonotic pathogens. Proactive measures such as minimising stress through better living conditions in livestock and wildlife populations has been shown to be beneficial to make animals less susceptible to infections. Global health organisations, including the World Organisation for Animal Health, have emphasised that the One Health approach must include comprehensive animal welfare standards as a foundation for disease prevention. Animal welfare within this framework is not limited to disease prevention and veterinary treatment but also includes aspects such as reducing overcrowding, ensuring proper housing, nutrition, humane handling, and the ability for animals to express normal behaviour. Yet, there are no comprehensive measures within India's current policies to mandate and incentivise improvements in animal welfare standards. Take India's National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR), which acknowledges the role of animal health in the fight against drug resistant infections. However, in prioritising surveillance, management of antibiotic use and infection control, it continues to ignore the root cause - poor animal welfare and management practices--that drives the need for antibiotics in the first place. To close the gap, India's animal health policies need to move beyond surveillance and control, which are necessary but not sufficient measures in themselves. This would begin by updating and enforcing animal welfare laws to include standards for housing, space and care in both livestock and wildlife sectors. Funding from pandemic prevention and One Health initiatives should not just be utilised towards building technical infrastructure. Dedicated funding should be allocated for animal welfare initiatives in livestock, poultry, and wildlife, with incentives for veterinarians, farmers, and animal handlers to adopt best practices. Simultaneously strengthening monitoring and evaluation, will ensure that welfare interventions translate into reduced disease risk. For India, integrating animal welfare into national policy is not just an ethical imperative but a pragmatic one. True prevention requires a comprehensive approach to animal health. Healthy animals are less likely to shed pathogens, reducing the risk of spillover to humans. As recent outbreaks have shown, the cost of inaction is far greater than the price of preparedness. By prioritising animal health and welfare, India can safeguard public health, protect rural livelihoods, and secure its place as a global leader in zoonoses prevention. This article is authored by Pallavi Krishnappa, researcher, ALPN Research Foundation.
