logo
Shock exit: Dhankhar quits as VP on first day of Parl session

Shock exit: Dhankhar quits as VP on first day of Parl session

Time of India5 days ago
Jagdeep Dhankhar
NEW DELHI: It was business as usual till around 4pm for Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. He presided over the opening day of the monsoon session of Rajya Sabha and attended a meeting of the business advisory committee of the House.
At 3.53pm, a govt statement said the VP would be visiting Jaipur on Wednesday.
Such a trip, while Parliament is in session, would have raised eyebrows. A few hours later, Dhankhar dropped a bombshell, abruptly announcing his resignation with immediate effect two years before his tumultous term was to end. "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice-President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution," he wrote in his letter to President Droupadi Murmu.
A shock exit
The move immediately set off speculation about the real trigger, with many wondering as to the nature of the medical condition that necessitated his quitting the constitutional position, second only to the President in protocol.
Few were convinced about the health explanation, particularly given that those who visited him in recent months detected signs that he was less than happy, even as he made it a point to swear by the present political leadership.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years
IC Markets
Learn More
Undo
He underwent a cardiac procedure at AIIMS in March after he complained of uneasiness. On June 25, he had fainted while delivering a speech at Nainital. But he seemed to be in fine fettle on Monday, making his trademark interventions and betraying no sign of the graveness he invoked to explain his exit.
Dhankhar, 74, assumed office in Aug 2022 and his tenure was till 2027.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Maya attacks Congress, BJP on quota, caste issues
Maya attacks Congress, BJP on quota, caste issues

Hindustan Times

time6 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Maya attacks Congress, BJP on quota, caste issues

: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati has criticised both the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for their stance on reservation and caste-based issues, accusing them of having a dual character when it comes to the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The former chief minister posted her observation on the X platform on Saturday morning. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati (File Photo) She emphasised that the BSP is the only party that truly represents the interests of SC, ST, and OBC communities, and has consistently worked for their welfare and empowerment. She urged the SC, ST, and OBC communities to be cautious of the Congress and BJP's tactics and not be swayed by their promises. Mayawati further stated that the Congress's track record on reservation and caste-based issues is disappointing, and the party's recent statements on these issues are nothing but 'crocodile tears'. She also said the party had failed to implement the Mandal Commission report and provide adequate representation to OBCs in government jobs and institutions. The BSP chief also hit out at the BJP for its alleged 'anti-reservation' mentality. She emphasised that both parties have consistently shown disregard for the Constitution and the rights of marginalised communities. She criticised both the BJP and Congress for their stance on caste-based census, accusing them of being opportunistic and attempting to position themselves as champions of OBCs despite their track record of oppression and exclusion.

How many steps should you really walk each day for better health?
How many steps should you really walk each day for better health?

Time of India

time19 minutes ago

  • Time of India

How many steps should you really walk each day for better health?

The magic number might be smaller than we thought. For years, 10,000 steps a day was treated like a golden rule. But a new review suggests the real sweet spot could be just 7,000 and the health payoffs are impressive. Dr. Melody Ding, a professor of public health at the University of Sydney and lead author of the study, said, 'When possible, aiming for 7,000 steps a day is a good objective.' The findings , published Wednesday in The Lancet Public Health, pulled data from 57 studies. It analyses how step counts affect a range of health outcomes, from cardiovascular issues and cancer to mental health and early mortality. Compared with people walking only 2,000 steps daily, a threshold researchers deemed the bare minimum, those who walked 7,000 steps were 47 percent less likely to die early from any cause. They also had a 25 percent lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and a 38 percent drop in dementia risk. The unexpected perks of walking The benefits of simply walking more stretch well beyond what many realize. Research has shown that walking improves how the body handles metabolic health. It strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure and reduces harmful markers like cholesterol, body weight, and blood sugar. What makes this latest review stand out is its wider lens. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is crazy about it Undo Beyond heart health and mortality, researchers also found strong associations between walking 7,000 steps and lower risks of Type 2 diabetes, cancer death and depressive symptoms, compared with sedentary individuals taking only 2,000 steps. One of the most eye-opening revelations? A nearly 40 percent decrease in dementia risk. While causation hasn't been proven yet the connection is undeniable. The power of small gains So where did the 10,000 number even come from? It turns out, it was never rooted in science. 'We don't have any evidence for 10,000 steps,' Dr. Ding clarified. 'It's just a really big random number that people throw out there.' According to The Lancet Public Health review, walking more than 7,000 steps didn't show substantial gains in reducing the risk of falls, cancer or Type 2 diabetes when compared to 10,000. The differences in outcomes for dementia and mortality were present but modest. Dr. Ding likened it to juicing an orange. The first squeezes yield the most juice, or in this case, benefits. Walking from 2,000 to 4,000 steps reduced death risk by 36 percent. Going from 4,000 to 7,000 added another 17 percent drop. After that, the returns begin to flatten. There's a caveat: This is correlation, not proof of cause. People who walk more also tend to live healthier overall, they may be more active, eat better, or be less frail to begin with.

Muizzu's U-turn: India in, China out? Maldives seemingly pivots again as PM Modi offers big incentives
Muizzu's U-turn: India in, China out? Maldives seemingly pivots again as PM Modi offers big incentives

Time of India

time19 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Muizzu's U-turn: India in, China out? Maldives seemingly pivots again as PM Modi offers big incentives

NEW DELHI: Maldives, which has had a pro-China tilt in the past, seems to be warming up to India with President Mohamed Muizzu praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "wonderful person". Coming from someone who rose to power on an "India Out" campaign, followed by his cabinet colleagues making derogatory remarks against PM Modi, shows a significant shift in the geopolitical dynamics of the Global South. The two leaders held talks on Friday to repair bilateral ties as the also discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, defence, and infrastructure. Strategic U-turn After coming to power by promising to reduce Indian influence and build closer ties with China—including a first state visit to Beijing and agreements for Chinese military assistance—Muizzu now calls India a "trusted friend" and rolled out the red carpet for PM Modi, breaking with protocol to personally receive him at the airport. "He is a wonderful person who is very fond of building relationships between India's neighbours. The Maldives and India have a very good relationship that goes back centuries, and with PM Modi's leadership, cooperation between the two governments is going to be even more prosperous in the days ahead," he said on the last day of PM Modi's trip. What could be the reasons behind change in stance? The Maldivian economy is under severe stress with a substantial budget deficit and dwindling foreign reserves, and the support offered by India is pivotal for Muizzu's government to stabilize finances. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No One Knew About Her Bags—Now They're Going Viral Handmakers Report Read Now Although Maldives still owes China large debts, New Delhi has emerged as a key partner to avoid potential economic default. During PM Modi's visit, India announced a fresh $ 565 million line of credit (LoC) for the Indian Ocean neighbour and signed an agreement to reduce its annual debt repayment burden by 40%. 'To give a new impetus to our development partnership, we have decided to provide a line of credit of $ 565 million, or approximately Rs 5,000 crore, to Maldives. It will be used for projects related to infrastructure development in line with the priorities of the people of Maldives,' PM Modi said, as he hailed Maldives as a "true friend". India's sustained efforts However, this diplomatic shift hasn't happened overnight, and it certainly can't be attributed to PM Modi's visit alone. Amid early concerns about losing a key ally in the region, India chose restraint over rhetoric. New Delhi maintained steady engagement, with PM Modi being the first world leader to congratulate Muizzu after his election victory. This gesture, combined with consistent diplomatic outreach and sustained economic support, laid the groundwork for rebuilding trust. Back in 2019, India had extended an $800 million Line of Credit (LoC) to the Maldives during the tenure of the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government. What PM Modi's trip has done, is to bring India's efforts to light, with Muizzu acknowledging it. "We all have seen how India has helped the Maldives in the past, and nobody will doubt how India will be a very crucial partner going forward," he said. "India is one of the major tourism countries that helps the Maldives with tourism. With PM Modi's visit, it is going to increase a lot. I am sure that people-to-people exchange between the two countries will greatly boost because of this visit," he added. Analysts note that Muizzu's pivot is a pragmatic recognition of Maldives' geographic and economic realities—India remains indispensable for trade, connectivity, and tourism. While China's support remains, India's proximity and willingness to provide urgent financial and developmental assistance have proved decisive in influencing Muizzu's recalibration

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store