Latest news with #SPYadav
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
2-day free urology camp at IMS-BHU from today
Varanasi: A free urology consultation and surgery charitable camp, to be organised by Urological Society of India (USI), under its public welfare initiative USI CARES (Community Action, Relief, Education & Service), will begin at Urology department of IMS- BHU on Aug 1. During the camp, patients will receive free consultations from some of the country's leading urologists, along with diagnostic investigations and surgical interventions, including both minor and major procedures as deemed necessary. These services will be provided entirely free of cost. According to a BHU spokesperson, a team of more than 15 to 20 urologists and healthcare professionals from across India volunteered to participate in this noble cause. Among the distinguished participants are Prof TP Rajeev from Guwahati, who currently serves as the president of the Urological Society of India and Dr SP Yadav from Gurugram, an executive council member of the society. In addition to clinical care, the camp will also focus on public health education. Interactive awareness sessions will be conducted to inform participants about various urological conditions, including kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and cancers of the urinary and genital systems. These sessions aim to empower individuals with knowledge about prevention, early detection, and the importance of lifestyle modifications in managing their health. TNN
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
Police shoot tyre, break car window to stop smuggler escaping in Bhilwara; accused still flees
Bhilwara: Police in Bhilwara broke a car window and shot a tyre in an attempt to stop smugglers, who still managed to escape. The incident occurred Monday night during a police checkpoint operation in Mandal police station area. CCTV footage released Wednesday shows officers breaking the window and shooting the tyre of a Thar jeep, which was fleeing the scene. Despite these efforts, the smugglers escaped. Bhilwara SP Dharmendra Singh Yadav said the checkpoint was set up in the Pur police station area. A black Thar without a number plate breached the checkpoint and got stuck in a narrow lane in the Mandal area. Police attempted to stop the vehicle by breaking the window and shooting the front right tyre with a service revolver. However, the smugglers managed to flee. As they escaped, the smugglers discarded plastic bags containing illegal narcotics — doda chura — on the road. Police seized the narcotics and filed a case under the NDPS Act against the driver and passenger. SP Yadav said the revolver was initially aimed at the driver to prompt surrender, with no intention to harm, leading to the decision to shoot the tyre instead. An investigation is underway.
Indian Express
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Exclusive: India works diplomatic hotlines from South Africa to Botswana to bring home next batch of cheetahs
Over the past two years, India has been working its diplomatic channels with Botswana, South Africa and Kenya as it navigates a complex set of negotiations to replenish its African cheetah population. Senior members of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) have said that talks with South Africa, a key source country, have slowed down following the formation of a new political coalition after general elections there last year. At the same time, Botswana has formally committed to sending four cheetahs, and discussions are underway to finalise timelines. In Kenya, negotiations remain broad, centred on long-term collaboration rather than immediate translocation. As many as 20 cheetahs have already been brought to India as part of the country's ambitious translocation plans. Of these, eight were brought from Namibia in 2022 and 12 from South Africa in early 2023. They were all brought to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. In April this year, the Madhya Pradesh government announced that eight new cheetahs would be brought from Botswana and that the first four would arrive by May. That is yet to happen. A senior official from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said, 'We have sought an engagement to work out the logistics. Our High Commission is coordinating to arrive at dates of mutual convenience. The Union Minister concerned has been working on speeding up negotiations with the other countries.' Records of Cheetah Project Steering Committee meetings show that as early as December 13, 2023, the committee was apprised that 'steps have been taken for bringing further cheetahs from Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, and other range countries as well.' However, the NTCA has clarified that as of now, there is 'no arrangement with Sudan or Tanzania'. As for South Africa, with the translocation of 12 cheetahs having already taken place in 2023, experts from the country have been closely associated with India's Cheetah Project. However, the changes in government in the country have led to delays in further discussions to bring more cheetahs to India, officials said. 'In South Africa, there has been a significant change in the government since the last engagement. Hence, the processes are taking time. The new government is going through the nuances and understanding the project,' a senior NTCA official. In 2024, the ruling African National Congress lost its outright majority, which it had enjoyed for over 30 years, and has been in a shaky coalition with the Democratic Alliance that is under threat of collapse over sharp divisions between the two parties. As per the steering committee's meeting records from December 4, 2024, committee adviser S P Yadav said that 'bringing cheetahs from South Africa may take time beyond three months since negotiations are underway'. 'Cheetahs from Kuno National Park need to be translocated to the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary for fostering housekeeping practices. The fresh lot from South Africa are to be housed in Kuno,' Yadav told the committee. The DIG of the NTCA, Dr Vaibhav C Mathur, had in this meeting apprised the committee that a high-level delegation had visited Kenya 'for sourcing of cheetahs' and that action was underway 'for dialogue with governments of Botswana and South Africa on sourcing of cheetahs'. On February 19 this year, the State Chief Wildlife Warden, Shubharanjan Sen, again suggested to the committee that the cheetahs in Kuno be transported in order to 'bring new cheetahs from South Africa'. Mathur had apprised the committee that there was a 'deadlock with South Africa' and that officials were trying to address it. Mathur also told the committee that an MoU with Kenya would be signed in the first week of March. Unlike with Botswana, discussions with Kenya have remained 'generic and overarching', with the focus more on 'capacity building for their staff, use of technology for protection, and similar collaborative efforts,' an NTCA official said. The chairman of the Cheetah Project Steering Committee, Dr Rajesh Gopal, said, 'We are yet to get a fresh stock. In the last steering committee meeting, the Government of India informed us that discussions are ongoing. Several countries are being explored — we haven't narrowed it down to one yet. There are options on the table.' Madhya Pradesh wildlife officials are also involved in on-ground diplomacy. A senior state forest department officer, who was part of a delegation to South Africa, said, 'We have visited South Africa and held discussions with their team. We will soon issue an update after the NTCA delegation clears some issues… There are new officials and we are getting them up to speed with our preparations in Gandhisagar and our success with the project.' After a number of deaths and several births, the cheetah population in Kuno now stands at 26, including nine adult cheetahs (six females and three males) and 17 cubs born in India. Officials said all the remaining cheetahs, including the two males kept at Gandhisagar, are in good health.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
International Big Cat Alliance holds its first assembly in Delhi
New Delhi: The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) held its first assembly at its Delhi headquarters on Monday. The assembly approved the Headquarters Agreement signed with India, work plan, rules of procedure and the manual of staff and financial regulations. These will serve as the guiding foundation for the effective governance, operations, and collaborative initiatives of IBCA. The assembly also endorsed the proceedings of the first International Steering Committee meeting of IBCA, which was held in April 2024, according to a statement by India's environment ministry. Further, the assembly unanimously endorsed Bhupender Yadav, India's environment minister as the president of IBCA. The assembly also endorsed SP Yadav as the director general of IBCA. Created by the Government of India, the IBCA is a coalition of 95 range countries with a mandate for the conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma. The assembly, which is the apex body of IBCA, was attended in Delhi by ministerial delegations from Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, India, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia and Kazakhstan. In his address, Yadav called upon the Big Cat range countries to actively engage and collaborate in the initiatives and programmes of IBCA. He emphasised the importance of collective action to advance the conservation and protection of the seven major big cat species and their natural habitats and assist in securing our ecological future and mitigate adverse effects of climate change. The IBCA was established by the Government of India, through its nodal organisation viz. National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2024. The primary objective of IBCA is to facilitate collaboration and synergy among range countries and other stakeholders.
