Latest news with #Independence
Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Doctors played important role in nation's development: Murmu
Kolkata, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday asserted that doctors have played an important role in the nation's development, citing the eradication of many diseases, an increase in life expectancy and progress in the field of vaccination. Doctors played important role in nation's development: Murmu Murmu, while speaking at the first convocation of AIIMS-Kalyani in Nadia district of West Bengal, also hailed the contributions of the state's second chief minister, Dr B C Roy, who was a medical practitioner himself. "Doctors, conscious of their social responsibilities, have played an important role in the development of the nation. The average life expectancy, which was only 32 years at the time of Independence, has now more than doubled to about 70 years. There has been extraordinary progress in the field of vaccination in the last few years," she said. "Many diseases have been eradicated. For example, India was declared trachoma-free last year. But there are still many challenges in which young doctors will play a decisive role. Doctors have a bigger role than the government and other stakeholders in controlling health problems such as diabetes, heart ailments and obesity," she emphasised. Highlighting the new changes taking place in the field of medical science every day, the President advised students to be lifelong learners and stay updated on new research and medical methods. The President noted that the foundation stone of the planned city of Kalyani was laid by Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, who, during his long tenure as the chief minister of West Bengal, continued to serve patients free of cost. She urged doctors to follow the example of Dr Roy of providing free medical services to the poor and the deprived. Murmu urged the students, teachers and administrators of AIIMS-Kalyani to make a resolution to make it an institute of national pride. The President told doctors to adopt such a healthy lifestyle which could be an example for common people to follow. She said that most health problems, other than genetic manifestations, can be prevented or solved to a great extent through proper diet and lifestyle. Apart from medicines, doctors should also give lifestyle-related advice to the people who come to them for treatment, Murmu said. The President was the chief guest at the function, which was also attended by Governor C V Ananda Bose, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya, and Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur. The convocation marked the graduation of the first MBBS batch of the institute, admitted in 2019, along with Post-Doctoral Certificate Course scholars. A total of 48 MBBS students and nine PDCC students received their degrees. "Today marks the auspicious commencement of the convocation tradition at this institute of national importance. With this first convocation ceremony, the first chapter in the history of your institution is being completed. On this historic occasion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire team of AIIMS-Kalyani," Murmu said. "I also congratulate all the students receiving their degrees today. I especially appreciate and commend the outstanding performance of those students who are receiving medals. I also congratulate the faculty and parents who guided and inspired these students in realising their dream of becoming doctors," she said. The President said that as the first batch of AIIMS-Kalyani, they are the senior-most alumni of the institute. They will have an important role in making the identity of the institution. In this way, they are also the makers of the future of AIIMS-Kalyani, she added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
26 minutes ago
- Health
- News18
Doctors played important role in nations development: Murmu
Kolkata, Jul 30 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday asserted that doctors have played an important role in the nation's development, citing the eradication of many diseases, an increase in life expectancy and progress in the field of vaccination. Murmu, while speaking at the first convocation of AIIMS-Kalyani in Nadia district of West Bengal, also hailed the contributions of the state's second chief minister, Dr B C Roy, who was a medical practitioner himself. 'Doctors, conscious of their social responsibilities, have played an important role in the development of the nation. The average life expectancy, which was only 32 years at the time of Independence, has now more than doubled to about 70 years. There has been extraordinary progress in the field of vaccination in the last few years," she said. 'Many diseases have been eradicated. For example, India was declared trachoma-free last year. But there are still many challenges in which young doctors will play a decisive role. Doctors have a bigger role than the government and other stakeholders in controlling health problems such as diabetes, heart ailments and obesity," she emphasised. Highlighting the new changes taking place in the field of medical science every day, the President advised students to be lifelong learners and stay updated on new research and medical methods. The President noted that the foundation stone of the planned city of Kalyani was laid by Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, who, during his long tenure as the chief minister of West Bengal, continued to serve patients free of cost. She urged doctors to follow the example of Dr Roy of providing free medical services to the poor and the deprived. Murmu urged the students, teachers and administrators of AIIMS-Kalyani to make a resolution to make it an institute of national pride. The President told doctors to adopt such a healthy lifestyle which could be an example for common people to follow. She said that most health problems, other than genetic manifestations, can be prevented or solved to a great extent through proper diet and lifestyle. Apart from medicines, doctors should also give lifestyle-related advice to the people who come to them for treatment, Murmu said. The President was the chief guest at the function, which was also attended by Governor C V Ananda Bose, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya, and Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur. The convocation marked the graduation of the first MBBS batch of the institute, admitted in 2019, along with Post-Doctoral Certificate Course (PDCC) scholars. A total of 48 MBBS students and nine PDCC students received their degrees. 'Today marks the auspicious commencement of the convocation tradition at this institute of national importance. With this first convocation ceremony, the first chapter in the history of your institution is being completed. On this historic occasion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire team of AIIMS-Kalyani," Murmu said. 'I also congratulate all the students receiving their degrees today. I especially appreciate and commend the outstanding performance of those students who are receiving medals. I also congratulate the faculty and parents who guided and inspired these students in realising their dream of becoming doctors," she said. The President said that as the first batch of AIIMS-Kalyani, they are the senior-most alumni of the institute. They will have an important role in making the identity of the institution. In this way, they are also the makers of the future of AIIMS-Kalyani, she added. PTI SCH ACD view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 20:00 IST News agency-feeds Doctors played important role in nations development: Murmu Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- First Post
PM Modi's speech on Sindoor: Tectonic shift in Indian politics
Operation Sindoor is a testament to what has happened to Bharat that is India over the past 11 years. A significantly reformed, rebuilt and indigenised Indian armed forces demonstrated what the nation is capable of once the shackles of prolonged foreign subjugation of policy idiocy end read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on the floor of the Lok Sabha on Operation Sindoor was an astonishing masterclass. It will go down as his finest hour and the most outstanding performance by an Indian political leader since Independence. Modi demolished all the treasonous slander and libel of India's so-called political Opposition, in the wake of Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor. Prime Minister Modi eloquently asserted the quest for India's unfinished goal of statehood in its most formative historical phase since the coronation of Chhatrapati Maharaj at Raigad Fort in 1674. No nation can be built by one solitary individual alone, but if anyone has a claim to being its driving contemporary force it's surely Narendra Damodar Modi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In just over a decade the change he has wrought to the Indian nation is unprecedented. It is more impressive than the achievements of Otto von Bismarck and Giuseppe Garibaldi, who had force at their disposal, to create modern Germany and Italy in the nineteenth century. By contrast Prime Minister Modi has had to navigate the most intolerably vexatious political order of truculent anarchy and constitutional roadblocks to pursue the imperative goal of placing the nation on a secure footing and institutionalizing its essential multidimensional attributes. Prime Minister Modi's speech followed three superb performances by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Home Minister Amit Shah that laid out in exact detail and sequence the purposes and achievements of Operation Sindoor. But it was the Prime Minister who deployed a scalpel with precision, engaged in unforgiving historical analysis of Congress party history and precise chronological detail of the momentous events after the brutal murders of Pahalgam. He proceeded to unsparingly dissect the grotesque absurdity of India's political Opposition and its entitled so-called Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. One by one, he summarised the calamitous missteps of the Congress party following Independence, especially Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, whose arrogant self-confidence despite utter incompetence have cost Indian dear. The most grievous losses to India occurred immediately after Independence because of his unctuous deference to Viceroy Lord Mountbatten and obsession with Edwina, his wife. Mountbatten presided over the colossal bloodletting of Partition despite being warned by his own officials it was going to occur, but Nehru nevertheless proceeded to retain him as Governor-General. Most egregiously he retained British Generals as India's army chiefs of staff who duly betrayed India as it was poised to retake J&K in entirety and potentially liberate the strategically vital territory of Gilgit Baltistan. A grim account of events has been provided by India's commanding officer during the war, Lionel Pratap Sen in his memoirs, Slender was the Thread. Nehru proceeded to betray Tibet by assisting its conquest by China, extending logistical support to it during the invasion. His monumental stupidity subsequently led to military defeat in 1962 when China attacked India and the loss of the Aksai Chin. Nehru ignored warnings by his most brilliant China expert, Sumol Sinha, whom he banished to Harvard in annoyance when alerted of the impending danger posed by China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the aftermath of the 1962 military catastrophe, he sought to ingratiate himself with Mountbatten again and supposedly secure his place in history, by ceding the Kashmir Valley to Pakistan. Thankfully, the negotiations he had sponsored in London faltered after Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto ceded the Shaksgam Valley to China and Nehru died before any resumption of talks was feasible. The other grievous error was committed by his daughter, Indira Gandhi. After India's historic military defeat of Pakistan in 1971 she mistakenly acquiesced to Soviet implorations and failed to retain vital Indian strategic gains made in the battlefield. The Soviets persuaded her not to impose a harsh peace on Pakistan at Simla because their vital SALT talks with the US were scheduled for the same year. A visionary stateswoman would have ignored Soviet requests, despite their important help during the conflict, and pursued urgent Indian national interests, facing down Soviet displeasure. The astonishing calumny and legal assault Narendra Modi has suffered for almost twenty-three years would have defeated and broken a lesser man, but he's evidently made of sterner stuff than most. But it is a cause of deep shame that his role as Prime Minister of India has not spared him the most despicable abuse from which the dignity of his office should have shielded him. But Modi was apparently intended for a higher purpose, as his former adviser the immensely learned and wise, late Bibek Debroy once prophetically pointed out. The dismal misconduct of Congress party apparatchiks is a reflection of the low mindset that has consumed the party today. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rahul Gandhi himself is beyond redemption and the people of India have by now figured him out. His constant refrain inviting Modi to publicly denounce President Donald Trump as a liar, over claims he ensured the cessation of hostilities in the context of Operation Sindoor, is oblivious to the consequence of such observations by Modi prompting a huge setback in India-US relations, at a time when sensitive negotiations are in train between the two counties. His undue sensitivity towards two of the world's most criminal regimes, with prodigious quantities of blood on their hands over many decades, has not made him reflect. The millions of famine victims of China's Great Leap Forward and the genocidal war against the Hindus of East Pakistan in 1971 are crying out plaintively to no avail. Such is the temperament of Rahul Gandhi. Operation Sindoor is a testament to what has happened to Bharat that is India over the past 11 years. A significantly reformed, rebuilt and indigenised Indian armed forces demonstrated what the nation is capable of once the shackles of prolonged foreign subjugation of policy idiocy end. The innovative genius of Indians was illustrated not just by the array of missiles designed and manufactured domestically, but how an outdated arsenal of guns was adapted with inventive new technology to return to the battlefield as highly efficient and cost-effective weaponry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The imperative of an efficacious military is essential for deterrence and infinitely cheaper than warfighting and that's the direction in which Modi's has been headed. In fact, Operation Sindoor continued with India's security agencies eliminating the killers of Pahalgam after a relentless search operation. Let it also be registered that both Pahalgam and Pakistani responses to India's Operation Sindoor were a joint effort, with the terrorists and Pakistani terrorist army using Chinese equipment, from missiles and aircraft to machine guns and satellite phones. The transformation of India's defence sector is a metaphor for the advances in its wider economy of a massive infrastructure building surge, the absence of which earlier constrained economic progress. This key endeavour in lowering logistical costs and the implementation of unprecedented new associated dimensions, underlined by India's digitisation and startups, will be the basis of a robust and internationally competitive economy. Combined with multiple measures to reduce poverty, highlighted by India's forward leap in the recent World Bank Gini coefficient rankings, India will surely incarnate a new dharmic socio-economic order in the making. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is the scale of Narendra Modi's achievements and it's a tragic irony that many supposedly sensible, allegedly educated Indians don't see it, missing the forest for the trees, a chronic historic propensity of Hindus. The great danger remains that the well thought out Congress party strategy of inciting bitter caste animosity and the mobilisation of India's growing jihadi constituency will upset India's progressing apple cart. There should be no doubt the entire Congress strategy, the tried and tested Karnataka model, is perfectly rational and hugely portentous. It aims to seize power electorally by organising the intransigent Muslim vote-bank alongside disaffected caste constituencies and contrived regional discontent to establish a victorious coalition. Such a political situation will threaten India's sovereignty and independence as a nation and the dreams of its historic transformation, with mutually dependent Islamic and foreign interests conjoining to successfully seizing India from within. But the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor and the spectacular performance of the Prime Minister and his team also suggest the possibility of a reprieve for India in 2029 and, hopefully, beyond too. Once the Indian economy reaches its $10 trillion GDP target it will be unstoppable and secure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The writer taught international political economy for more than two decades at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Nuns' arrest in Chhattisgarh: Bishops, priests, nuns march towards Kerala Guv's residence
Thiruvananthapuram: Expressing their ire towards the BJP and the Chhattisgarh government in particular, for the arrest of two Kerala nuns, hundreds of people led by the Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference President, marched towards the official residence of Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar on Wednesday evening. All those who took part in the protest were wearing a black cloth across their mouths. The protest march included bishops, priests, nuns and a huge number of people from various Churches in the state. 'We have assembled here because two of our nuns are presently in jail for no wrong done by them. We all know the compassion and empathy the nuns carry with them all across the country. It is most unfortunate that the two nuns are now in jail,' said Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Mar Baselios Cardinal Cleemis and added that none should forget that India is a secular country. 'What we fail to understand is that this has happened in a secular country like India, where all have the right to believe in any religion and practice any religion. "It's been six days since these nuns have been in jail. We all heard Kerala State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar saying the nuns have done no wrong and what more testimony is needed,' asked Cardinal Cleemis, which was greeted by a huge applause. Cardinal Cleemis pointed out that if the allegations of conversions were true then how come even after 2,000 years the Christian population still remains around 2.4 per cent of the total population in the country and has not grown after Independence. 'When such things happen, the need of the hour is for the leadership to see that issues are resolved quickly. When that happens, then one feels safe and secure in our country. "We will not be cowed down by all these actions and we will continue to serve our nation and work for society. Christians will be here always as an integral part of India. My ardent wish is the present impasse ends with the leadership taking action,' added Cleemis. Incidentally, just before the protest meeting began, Rajeev Chandrasekhar who was in New Delhi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him about the whole issue. Significantly, on Tuesday he cleared the air about the arrest of the two nuns by the Chhattisgarh Police by saying there was a miscommunication and neither trafficking nor religious conversion had taken place. 'It's now clear that neither trafficking nor religious conversion has taken place. There was a miscommunication in the incident. We, the BJP, will stand with the nuns till they get justice. If required I myself will reach Chhattisgarh,' were Chandrasekhar's words to the media in Delhi on Tuesday. Earlier in the day the two Kerala-based nuns currently lodged in Durg jail suffered a jolt when a Sessions Court on Wednesday declined to entertain their bail plea, directing the petitioners to approach the NIA-designated Bench at the Chhattisgarh High Court in Bilaspur. The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the bail application in the matter, which is being probed under the provisions of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act. Despite insistence from the nuns' counsel, the court dismissed the plea. 'The PM and Kerala BJP wax eloquent about their newfound love for Christians, but in reality, have venom in their hearts against minorities," AICC general secretary Venugopal posted on X. Congress legislator Roji M. John who is presently in Chhattisgarh and met the nuns, said the BJP was playing a double game. 'We all heard what the BJP state general secretary (Anoop Antony) who is here said. He stated that things were being cleared, but on Wednesday in the court, the public prosecutor was strongly opposing granting of bail to the nuns. It was just the opposite to what the Kerala BJP leaders are saying,' said John.
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
15 Mcdonald's Restaurants Earmarked As Stopovers For KMJG 2025 Convoy
MELAKA, July 30 (Bernama) -- In conjunction with this year's National Month, McDonald's Malaysia is embracing patriotism by participating in various 'Merdeka' (Independence) initiatives, including the 2025 Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang (KMJG) convoy, which kicked off on Sunday (July 27). McDonald's Malaysia senior vice-president and chief impact officer Melati Abdul Hai said that through the KMJG, a total of 15 McDonald's restaurants would be used as stopover locations for the motorcycle convoy, which will travel to 88 selected areas nationwide. She added that McDonald's Malaysia joined the Communications Ministry-organised programme to join in the celebration that is so meaningful to the country and the people of Malaysia, in addition to enhancing the spirit of the Jalur Gemilang and bringing joy to all Malaysians. "As a brand that has grown together with the people of Malaysia for the past 43 years, we believe that the National Day celebration is a pivotal moment for us to be united, celebrate diversity and express our love for the country. "As such, McDonald's Malaysia joined this initiative to play a bigger role as a local company, making our restaurants a place for Malaysians to further strengthen the spirit of patriotism and togetherness by celebrating independence,' she told reporters after the 2025 KMJG Programme at the Batu Berendam McDonald's Restaurant here today. The programme was officiated by state Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Allex Seah Shoo Chin, also the Kesidang state assemblyman. Melati said the KMJG convoy's first stop was at McDonald's Kluang in Johor on Monday (July 28) and its second stop was at the Batu Berendam McDonald's here today, before its final stop at the Pantai Sentral Park McDonald's Drive-Thru in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 16.
