Latest news with #Sanjeevani
NDTV
a day ago
- General
- NDTV
Chopper To Kedarnath Makes Emergency Landing On Highway, Passengers Safe
Kedarnath: A helicopter, with five passengers onboard, made an emergency landing in the middle of a highway on today. The chopper, which was owned by Kestrel Aviation Private Limited, was en route from Rudraprayag to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. The chopper took off at 12:52 pm from the Badasu (Sersi) helipad and landed immediately at the main road in Guptkashi, Rudraprayag district. It experienced a technical snag during take-off, with the collective control getting stuck. The pilot, Captain RPS Sodhi, landed the chopper on the highway adjacent to the helipad to avoid any mishaps. In the video, released by news agency ANI on X (formerly known as Twitter), we can see the helicopter parked in the middle of a road with locals rushing towards the site. A car was damaged in the incident. The pilot sustained minor injuries during the emergency landing and was taken to the hospital, district tourism development officer Rahul Chaubey said. All passengers are safe and unharmed, Mr Chaubey added. Speaking to ANI, Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority said that the rest of the shuttle services are proceeding as normal. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) has been informed about the matter, UCADA added. According to the DGCA, Kestrel Aviation's AW119 (Reg. VT-RNK) helicopter made a hard landing on the road. 'A team from DAS(NR) is being sent for onsite assessment,' the agency said. This is the latest in a string of helicopter-related incidents reported on the Chardham Yatra route in the past month. A few weeks earlier, an air ambulance helicopter made an emergency landing in Kedarnath due to a technical snag. The chopper reportedly suffered a malfunction in its tail rotor, leading to difficulties in landing. The ambulance had come to Kedarnath to rescue a pilgrim who was reportedly suffering from respiratory distress. The 'Sanjeevani' helicopter ambulance was operated by the Rishikesh branch of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), as reported by news agency PTI. Two doctors and the pilot inside the craft were safe, district tourism development officer Rahul Chaubey said. On May 8, six people, including a pilot, died after their helicopter crash near Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi. The chopper was flying from Dehradun to Harsil helipad. Five of the people who lost their lives were female tourists- Kala Soni (61), Vijaya Reddy (57), Ruchi Aggarwal (56), Radha Aggarwal (79) and Vedavati Kumari (48).
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Menstrual waste management gets a sustainable shift in DK panchayats
Mangaluru: As part of a zero-waste model initiative, 10 gram panchayats in Dakshina Kannada were identified for waste management interventions through Hasiru Dala. However, managing sanitary waste emerged as one of the most pressing and often overlooked challenges. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We receive about 200kg of sanitary waste every day, including diapers and pads. Some panchayats alone generate 100–300kg of such waste daily," said Nagaraj Raghav Anchan, project manager, Hasiru Dala. He said that this kind of waste poses a major environmental and logistical challenge. In response, Hasiru Dala launched a proactive campaign promoting the use of menstrual cups. "We distributed menstrual cups in seven panchayats so far. Wherever we conduct meetings on menstrual hygiene, we create WhatsApp groups, collect feedback, and even have a doctor on hand to address women's concerns. Nearly 90% of the women who where present during wareness shifted to menstrual cups," he added. Beyond menstrual waste, the project focused on improving waste collection systems. "There is no point blaming only the public. We must set up a functioning system," said Anchan. Working closely with Sanjeevani self-help group, the initiative ensured door-to-door collection and awareness drives through IEC activities. The project is supported by SBI Foundation. "We realised that once a proper system is in place, we collect nearly one tonne of waste per day. Wet waste is managed at composting units, while dry waste is routed to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)." The campaign also includes educational outreach in schools through sessions on Trashonomics, fostering environmental responsibility from a young age. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now DK zilla panchayat deputy secretary Jayalakshmi Raikod said that awareness is happening, but it will take some time for public mindset to change. 2.5 tonne waste cleared in Neermarga A significant clean-up drive was carried out in Neermarga, recently, by volunteers from Hasiru Dala, with active support from residents. The team cleared nearly 2.5 tonnes of waste from a steep black spot that became an unofficial dumping site. Nagaraj Anchan said that the area was used for waste disposal due to irregular waste collection services. The pile-up led to a strong stench and posed health and environmental concerns. "The situation was quite severe. The terrain made it challenging, but with the help of the community, we managed to clear the spot," he said. Hasiru Dala is also planning a month-long awareness programme in the region. The campaign will focus on educating citizens about responsible waste segregation, proper disposal, and the importance of community involvement in keeping their surroundings clean.
Business Standard
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Sony India and IGF-India launch comprehensive scholarship and aid for children and families affected by the pandemic
VMPL Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], May 27: As the country continues to recover from the long shadow of the pandemic, Sony India, in collaboration with IGF-India (Impact Guru Foundation), has reinforced its commitment to rebuilding lives by prioritizing one of the most affected groups--children who lost parents or guardians to the pandemic. Through the Sanjeevani Program, IGF- India has rolled out a nationwide Educational Scholarship Program that aims to restore hope and dignity through access to quality education. Beyond education, the Sanjeevani Program also extends vital support in two additional domains,medical assistance and livelihood/skilling programs,ensuring a holistic recovery pathway for the affected families. "Education is not just a right--it is a recovery pathway for children whose lives were shattered by the pandemic. Through this scholarship program, we aim to rebuild not just careers, but childhoods. We are happy to partner with a corporate like Sony India for their heartfelt commitment to helping rebuild lives through the power of education." said Sundeep Talwar-CEO, IGF-India. Sanjay Bhatnagar, Vice President, CHRO & CSR Head, Sony India said "The Sanjeevani Scholarship Program is an initiative where intent meets integrity. At Sony India, we are proud to partner with IGF-India, whose commitment and community outreach have brought structure, compassion and dignity to families affected by the pandemic. This effort is not just about immediate relief--it is about giving young lives a chance to dream again" Bridging the Learning Gap for India's Most Vulnerable The Sanjeevani Educational Scholarship Program is a transformative intervention as the pandemic caused an unprecedented disruption to the education system. Lakhs of children from low-income and marginalized communities were forced to discontinue their studies due to financial hardship or the loss of their breadwinners, and this program directly address those affected, such as * Neglect and isolation among orphans and single-parent children * Interrupted education due to digital and infrastructural barriers * School dropouts due to loss of parental income * Exclusion of marginalized communities (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) from learning opportunities The program extends comprehensive scholarships, covering: * Full annual tuition fees for school and college students * Books, uniforms, transport costs and digital learning devices * Hostel support or supplementary classes, where applicable * Nutrition aid for children lacking daily essentials * Special education and mobility support for children with disabilities. Under the wider Sanjeevani umbrella, it includes upskilling opportunities for widows and young adults and medical aid for those grappling with post-pandemic health issues. Robust, Transparent Application Ecosystem Families and caretakers of eligible children can apply through a dedicated, bilingual microsite designed and maintained by IGF India. The digital platform ensures user-friendliness for applicants with limited tech exposure and supports regional language interfaces. Applicants are required to upload: * Proof of COVID-related bereavement (e.g., death certificate of parent/guardian) * School admission documents or fee receipts * Government-issued ID proof and income details (e.g., BPL certificate, ration card) Each case undergoes a multi-tier verification process led by IGF India's Trust and Safety Team. This includes: * Document verification * Telephonic interviews with families * On-ground visits to schools/colleges * Engagement with community leaders and local authorities Applications are then assessed using a structured Vulnerability Index, factoring in: * Household income level * Number of dependents * Female-headed or widowed households * Disability in the family * Social disadvantage (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) In addition to these criteria, contextual factors were also considered during shortlisting. IGF India's team performed case-by-case assessment to understand each family's unique challenges, rather than relying solely on data from the vulnerability index. Only after this rigorous scrutiny, scholarship assistance is approved and disbursed directly to educational institutions--ensuring both accountability and the child's uninterrupted schooling. Real Impact for affected families As of the first operational cycle of the Sanjeevani Program: * 696 applications were received from across India * 391 passed eligibility verification * 33 children were awarded full educational scholarships. However, the total number of beneficiaries supported under the broader Sanjeevani initiative stands at 61--including 11 in skilling and livelihood training and 17 in medical assistance. * These scholarships are helping students re-enroll in school, continue higher studies or pursue vocational education that had been derailed due to the pandemic. Many of the beneficiaries are orphans, children of daily wage earners or members of disadvantaged communities. In addition to tuition, children also receive counseling support, learning kits, and in certain cases, access to digital classrooms and mentorship programs, ensuring holistic development beyond financial aid. Empowering Access Through Inclusive Outreach Recognizing that many eligible families might lack access to online platforms, IGF India activated a hybrid outreach strategy that blended grassroots engagement with digital awareness: * Care on Wheels (COW) mobile vans visited cities like Pune, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi NCR and Puducherry, offering on-ground support to help families register and upload documents. * Railway station campaigns and door-to-door leaflet distribution in low-connectivity areas enabled awareness in semi-urban and rural regions. * Social media and Google Ads campaigns amplified the scholarship drive. The use of technology has been central to the program's design--from a secure, multilingual microsite to a real-time dashboard for beneficiary tracking. This digital tool enables transparency, efficiency and inclusivity in delivering social support at the grassroots. A Sustainable Model for Educational Equity IGF-India continues to monitor the academic progress of all scholarship beneficiaries through a dedicated tracking and reporting system, sharing real-time updates and stories of transformation with Sony India. Monthly reports track disbursements, academic performance, and emotional well-being, ensuring continuous engagement with beneficiaries. Looking Forward: Scaling for Greater Reach With the success of this pilot phase, Sony India and IGF India are exploring the scale-up of the Educational Scholarship Program to cover more regions, languages and special needs categories, with a focus on rural India. Future phases will also expand medical and skilling support, strengthening the program's impact beyond children to entire families disrupted by the pandemic. IGF-India appeals to other stakeholders--corporates, philanthropists, and state agencies--to join this critical mission of ensuring zero learning loss and restoring livelihood for pandemic affected families in India.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Video shows AIIMS Sanjeevani heli ambulance crash landing in Kedarnath
A heli ambulance from AIIMS, Rishikesh, on its way to Kedarnath to airlift an ailing pilgrim, crash-landed on Saturday in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, with the crash getting caught on camera and going viral on social media. The crash landing of the 'Sanjeevani' heli ambulance happened just a few metres below the helipad at the Himalayan temple. According to a PTI report, the heli ambulance nose-dived towards the helipad but ended up landing heavily on a flat surface a short distance away. The heli ambulance had a pilot and two doctors onboard to attend to the patient. All three escaped the incident unhurt. The videos going viral on social media show the heli ambulance twisting briefly anti-clockwise after crash landing. Such a landing resulted in its tail rotor breaking. Here is the video: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, administration said in a statement that the heli ambulance crash landing incident occurred at around 11 am on Saturday. According to the statement, everyone on board the aircraft is safe. 'The Sanjeevani heli ambulance had gone from AIIMS, Rishikesh to Kedarnath to rescue Shree Devi, a pilgrim suffering from respiratory distress, when it developed a technical snag,' the Rudraprayag district tourism development officer Rahul Choubey told news agency PTI. According to the officer's statement, the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) will conduct an investigation into the crash landing incident. The official also informed the media that the heli ambulance developed a technical fault before landing on the main helipad of Kedarnath. The pilot realised that there was a snag in the nick of time and thought it best to land on a flat surface just before the helipad. However, he added, the helicopter's tail rotor broke while landing.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Close shave for 3 as AIIMS-R air ambulance crash-lands near Kedarnath helipad
Dehradun: A Sanjeevani air ambulance deployed by AIIMS-Rishikesh crash-landed near the Kedarnath helipad after its tail hit the ground during landing around 11:50am on Saturday. The three onboard — the pilot, a doctor, and nursing staff — escaped unhurt. The air ambulance had been dispatched to airlift Sridevi, who was suffering from acute respiratory distress. District tourism officer Rahul Choubey, also the helicopter services in-charge for Kedarnath, said, "We requested AIIMS-Rishikesh for an air ambulance. Due to a technical issue, the helicopter couldn't land at the helipad and attempted a landing in the adjacent ground, where the tail broke off." He said a technical probe will be conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to determine the cause. An AIIMS-Rishikesh press note quoted medical superintendent professor Dr B Satya Sree and heli ambulance nodal officer Dr Madhur Uniyal as saying, "On May 17, 2025, at 11:05am, a Sanjeevani Heli Ambulance aircraft departed for Kedarnath Dham. The helicopter carried a pilot, an emergency medicine doctor, and a nursing officer. Around 11:50am, it made a touchdown before landing. Fortunately, all three—pilot, doctor, and nurse—are unharmed. " The Sanjeevani air ambulance has been provided to AIIMS-Rishikesh by a private firm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtually inaugurated the initiative on Oct 29, terming it the country's first free helicopter emergency medical service . Under the ' Sanjeevani Yojana ', the programme was launched to provide rapid, life-saving medical support to accident victims and patients in difficult terrains. A post from the official X handle of the Rudraprayag district magistrate stated, "A major accident was averted due to the pilot's presence of mind. A Sanjeevani helicopter ambulance arriving for the rescue of a female devotee at Kedarnath had to make an emergency landing due to a technical fault. The pilot acted promptly and landed safely before reaching the main helipad. All onboard are safe. DGCA will conduct a technical investigation. " This is the third chopper-related incident reported in Uttarakhand over the last 10 days. On May 8, a helicopter carrying Char Dham pilgrims crashed near Gangnani on the Gangotri route in Uttarkashi district, killing six and seriously injuring one. On May 13, a chopper blade hit a parked vehicle at Badrinath, after which the operator, Thambi Aviation, was temporarily grounded. The helicopter had brought pilgrims from Phata and the mishap occurred during take-off.
