Latest news with #RedCrossSociety
Time of India
06-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
State yet to get human milk bank
Patna: It goes without saying that breast milk is "amrit" (nectar) for newborns, even as there are several who don't get it because of neonatal hospitalisation or their mothers are unable to produce milk. This situation can be avoided with the help of human milk banks, which sadly the state has none. Paediatricians say breast milk cannot be substituted with formula or animal milk as it has proven to be a lifeline for premature and sick newborns. Despite a few attempts over the last 15 years, the state is yet to get a human milk bank, the health department officials confirmed on Wednesday, attributing this to dearth of proper equipment and facilities, public awareness and doubts regarding donating milk or accepting others' milk. The theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated from Aug 1 to 7, also echoes the sentiment: "Prioritise breastfeeding: Create sustainable support systems". Chairman of Red Cross Society, Dr Binay Bahadur Sinha, who had unsuccessfully taken an initiative to open human milk banks in 2009, said it is vital to make people aware of its wonders, urging the govt to take an initiative in this direction. Bihar, with an infant mortality rate of 27:1,000 can benefit from such a project, felt experts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 20 Breathtaking Blue Flag Beaches You Must Visit Click Here Undo Former head of paediatrics department in Patna Medical College and Hospital, Dr Anil Kumar Jaiswal, said there are two primary reasons for opening a human milk bank, also known as comprehensive lactation management centres. "Firstly, there are several mothers who are unable to produce milk, or are under medication. Secondly, several newborns are sick or admitted to NICU, as a result their mother's milk goes to waste. In such cases a human milk bank would be highly beneficial," he said. For it to function, Jaiswal said, three things are required — a consenting mother ready to donate, proper pasteurisation and storage facility, and babies ready to accept the milk. Breast milk helps in boosting the babies' immunity, increases intelligence and reduces the risk of diabetes and blood pressure-related problems, he added. India has around 90 human milk banks, with the first one established in 1989 at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital in Mumbai.
Indian Express
04-08-2025
- Indian Express
Family-ID ‘deactivated without notice' in Haryana, denying elderly housing benefits; HHRC asks Govt to provide residential plot
Taking note of a harrowing experience of a Panipat-based senior citizen, whose family identification card was allegedly deactivated by the district administration, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) Monday slammed the state government. Issuing notice to seven departments, HHRC also asked the Haryana Government to immediately provide a 100 square yard residential plot to the senior citizen or provide alternate housing support, if he is found eligible. Dr Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information and Public Relations Officer, HHRC, stated, 'The Commission has taken the complaint of Shri Amar Singh Murwala very seriously. Seven departments have been issued notices, and specific timelines have been set for the submission of Action Taken Reports in relation to each issue raised.' Murwala approached HHRC, claiming his Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) was arbitrarily deactivated, and he was denied housing assistance under government schemes, forcing him to live in inhuman and unsanitary living conditions in an old age home. Expressing strong displeasure in the order over alleged administrative negligence and taking note of the man's plight, the HHRC's bench headed by Justice Lalit Batra, Chairperson of the Commission, issued notice to the commissioner and secretary (Citizen Resources Information Department); commissioner and secretary (Housing for All Department); deputy commissioner (Panipat); additional deputy commissioner (Panipat); commissioner (Municipal Corporation, Panipat); secretary (District Red Cross Society, Panipat) and manager of Old Age Home, Red Cross Society building, Ward No 11, Panipat. 'The complainant, a verified beneficiary under the Antyodaya category and a senior citizen, reported that his Parivar Pehchan Patra (Family ID No. 525M4911) was deactivated without any prior notice, inquiry, or opportunity to be heard. As a result, he was deprived of multiple welfare schemes, including Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Old Age Pension. Shri Murwala, who is landless, homeless, and socio-economically disadvantaged, further alleged that despite fulfilling eligibility criteria, he has not been allotted any accommodation or assistance under either the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(PMAY) or Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana (MMAY). He continues to live without proper housing, despite repeated appeals to the authorities,' said the bench. The bench pointed out that the complainant is living in the Old Age Home managed by the Red Cross Society. 'He has alleged that the living conditions at the facility are extremely unsanitary and unsafe, posing a risk to health and dignity'. Terming the matter as a 'serious case of administrative failure and insensitivity', Justice Batra stated, 'The actions (or inactions) violate the complainant's right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, and statutory duties under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007'. 'Immediate verification and reactivation of the deactivated Family ID (PPP No. 525M4911); submission of a detailed report by the authorities, explaining the deactivation, steps taken for restoration, and future preventive measures; The Housing for All Department, Government of Haryana, must reassess the complainant's eligibility and, if found eligible, allot a 100 square yard residential plot or provide alternate housing support,' said Justice Batra. Justice Batra also directed the commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Panipat, and the secretary, District Red Cross Society, to conduct a joint inspection of the Old Age Home facility, saying 'sanitation, pest control, and fogging must be completed within two weeks from the date of the order'. Justice Batra also directed all departments concerned to submit Action Taken Reports (ATRs) to the Commission before the next hearing, scheduled for October 15, 2025.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
30 still missing in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, search continues
Shimla:Thirty persons were on Saturday still missing in Mandi district, which has been hit by multiple flash floods due to cloudburtss, even as as search and relief operations continued. Army personnel, national and state disaster relief force, and state police teams continued to to look for missing persons, but no one was found during the day. Several areas in the district also continued to remain cut off because of damaged roads. In all, 14 persons were confirmed to have died due to the monsoon disaster in by Saturday. The worst-affected areas in Mandi district include Thunag, Gohar, Karsog, and Dharampur sub-divisions. Deputy commissioner Apoorv Devgan has appealed to well-off members of society to extend help in the rehabilitation efforts. He mentioned that interested individuals could deposit their contributions to the chief minister's relief fund at account number 40610107381, IFSC HPSC0000406, and to Red Cross Society at account number 3377000104129588, IFSC code PUNB0003377. As many as 74 human lives across the state, including 20 in Mandi district and 13 in Kangra district, were lost due to the monsoon disaster between June 20 and July 5. A total of 37 people are still missing and 115 persons have sustained injuries. The hill state suffered a total loss of over Rs 566.87 crore during this period as per the state govt's disaster management cell. A total of 238 roads across the state, including 176 in Mandi district, were blocked on Saturday evening due to incessant rains and flash floods. As many as 258 power distribution transformers, including 230 in Mandi district, and 289 water supply schemes, including 278 in Mandi district, were disrupted due to heavy rain, as per the state emergency operation centre. Situation Returning to Normal Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Saturday that the situation in disaster-hit areas of Seraj assembly constituency of Mandi district caused by torrential rains was rapidly returning to normal and the state govt would provide Rs 5,000 per month as rent to families whose houses were damaged in this disaster. The meteorological department has issued a red alert for Sunday and the state govt is on alert to tackle any situation, said Sukhu. He said public works minister Vikramaditya Singh visited monsoon-affected areas of Seraj on Saturday to monitor the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation operations. 1,317 food kits distributed The Mandi district administration has distributed 1,317 food kits containing 5kg flour, 5kg rice, one litre of edible oil, 1kg salt, 1kg sugar, 2kg pulses, 100g turmeric, 100g chilli powder, and 100g tea each, among the affected families in the disaster-hit areas till July 4, said a govt spokesperson. Dy CM Meets Affected Families On Saturday, deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri visited disaster-affected areas of Seraj and Nachan assembly constituencies in Mandi district to assess the ground situation and meet affected families. Agnihotri also held meetings with various govt officials and directed them to restore damaged roads to various panchayats besides clean drinking water and power supply in affected areas. He also announced that the Baglamukhi ropeway would be free of charge until further notice, benefiting around 1,500 people so far, and that the ropeway service would be available via phone call in emergencies. 'Give Rs 200cr assistance' The Communist Party of India (Marxist) state committee on Saturday demanded that the central govt should immediately provide the hill state with at least Rs 200 crore in assistance and other resources to tackle the monsoon disaster. Sanjay Chauhan, state secretary of CPI(M), said the central govt should conduct scientific research to devise a solid policy to address and prevent such climate change-induced disasters in future. BJP sends food kits BJP state president Dr Rajeev Bindal said the party was sending ration kits to affected families in Mandi. On Saturday, 100 ration kits were sent from Nahan in Sirmaur district. Each kit contains 10kg rice and flour each, 2kg lentils, 1kg salt, one litre of mustard oil, some spices, matches, and candles. "Our aim is to deliver 1,500 kits to Mandi by Sunday," he added.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
3 Badrinath pilgrims killed, 9 missing as bus plunges into Alaknanda river
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dehradun: Three people died, eight were injured and nine remain missing after a 31-seater bus carrying 19 pilgrims and the driver fell into the Alaknanda river near Gholtir in Rudraprayag district around 7.30am on Thursday. The vehicle, part of the ongoing Char Dham yatra, was heading to Badrinath from Rudraprayag when it reportedly collided with a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction near a sharp bend, lost control and plunged nearly 300 metres into the river. The steep terrain and strong river currents hampered rescue efforts. The bus was carrying pilgrims from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra — all members of an extended family. The bodies of Vishal Soni, 42, and Gauri Soni, 41, from Madhya Pradesh, and Drimmy, 17, from Gujarat were sent for autopsy. Satyendra Singh Bhandari, a member of the Red Cross Society rescue team and resident of the area, said, "The bus tumbled down the slope with a loud crash. Villagers nearby immediately rushed to the scene and began helping with rescue efforts." The injured, including four women and two children, were initially rushed to the district hospital. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Four — Deepika Soni, Hemlata Soni, Ishwar Soni and the driver, Sumit Kumar — were later airlifted to AIIMS-Rishikesh. Sumit, 23, a resident of Kankhal in Haridwar, said, "I was driving at a speed of hardly around 10–20 kmph. We were going comfortably listening to bhajans when a truck hit the bus hard and it plunged into the gorge. " The rescue operation, coordinated by SDRF, DDRF, local police, NDRF, fire services and the Indian Army, faced extreme difficulty due to the narrow curves, fast-moving river and deep gorge. Some passengers were reportedly thrown from the bus during the fall, which aided their survival and facilitated immediate rescue. The nine missing passengers included Lalit Kumar Soni, 48, Sanjay Soni, 55, and Sushila Soni, 77, from Rajasthan; Mauli Soni, 19, Cheshta, 12, Mayuri, 24, and Chetna Soni, 52, from Gujarat; Ravi Bhavasar, 28, from Madhya Pradesh; and Kamlesh Jethwa, 35, from Maharashtra. The injured included Amita Soni, 49, and Katta Ranjana Ashok, 54, from Maharashtra; Soni Bhavna Ishwar, 43, and Bhavya Soni, 7, from Gujarat; and Parth Soni, 10, from Madhya Pradesh. SP Rudraprayag Akshay Khonde confirmed that all passengers were part of the same extended family. "Divers have been deployed, and a massive search operation is underway along the river. The terrain and high water level are posing major challenges," he said. The crash occurred in a known danger zone of the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway, where repeated monsoon-triggered landslides and blind curves increase accident risks. In June last year, 14 people died in a similar crash when a tempo fell into the river at Raitoli. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash, and a review of emergency response protocols along the route is underway.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
Two killed, 10 missing after vehicle carrying pilgrims falls into Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand
At least two people were killed, eight injured and ten others were reported missing when a vehicle carrying pilgrims fell into the Alaknanda river here on Thursday, police said. The vehicle - a tempo traveller - met with the accident near the Gholthir village on the Badrinath National Highway between Rudraprayag and Gauchar, they said. Relief and rescue teams have reached the spot. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Two bodies have been recovered, one near the accident site and the other from the river near Rudraprayag, Satyendra Singh Bhandari, a member of the Red Cross Society rescue team told PTI. Seven people, including three women and two children, were injured in the accident while ten others went missing, he said, adding that the injured have been hospitalised. Live Events There were 20 people, including the driver, on board the vehicle when it fell into the river, Bhandari added. The tempo traveller is said to have been going towards the Badrinath Dham when the accident occurred at around 7.30 am, he said quoting the injured. The pilgrims had come on Uttarakhand's Char Dham Yatra from Udaipur in Rajasthan.
