Latest news with #Singhal
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
"Running Out of Cures": Experts warn of India's silent AMR catastrophe
New Delhi: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is no longer a looming global health threat—it is already here, silently claiming thousands of lives across India every week. Infections that were once treatable are now proving deadly, and doctors are increasingly witnessing the failure of even last-resort antibiotics. In a recent ETHealthworld webinar titled 'Running Out of Cures: A Deep Dive into India's Antimicrobial Resistance Crisis,' leading clinicians, researchers, and public health experts dissected the alarming rise of AMR and what India must do—urgently—to contain the fallout. 'When Nothing Works': A Clinician's Dilemma Dr. Tanu Singhal, Infectious Disease Specialist at Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, recalled devastating cases where no antibiotic proved effective. One such case involved a liver transplant patient battling multiple infections, including a highly drug-resistant Enterococcus faecium. 'The infection was resistant to vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid. The only option was tigecycline—unsuitable for bacteremia. We eventually lost her. She left against medical advice, unable to afford prolonged care, and died en route to her home,' she said. Even when effective drugs exist, the cost can be prohibitive. 'We had to import cefiderocol rupees four lakh per day—for an patient with Acinetobacter pneumonia. Though we cured the infection, the patient eventually died of a heart attack due to prolonged hospitalization,' she added. In neonatal care, the scenario is no better. 'Gone are the days when ampicillin and gentamicin were enough. We now see newborns with carbapenem-resistant infections requiring colistin and even imported drugs like cefiderocol,' Dr. Singhal warned, citing India-specific studies showing alarmingly high resistance rates in neonatal sepsis. Hospitals Prepared, But Surveillance Still Fragile While larger hospitals are equipped to manage outbreaks, challenges persist, particularly in smaller and rural facilities. 'Accredited hospitals have adequate manpower and isolation infrastructure for MDR cases,' said Dr. Anita Arora, Director of Medical Operations and IPC Head at Fortis Healthcare. 'But gaps exist in standardization and surveillance, especially across the country's vast non-accredited and tier-2, tier-3 healthcare facilities.' Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, former ICMR scientist and Distinguished Professor at Symbiosis International University, pointed out the lack of robust, generalizable AMR surveillance data as a major impediment to public health action. 'ICMR's surveillance network includes 20-odd urban tertiary hospitals. That doesn't reflect the national AMR burden. Surveillance must extend to secondary and primary care levels—and even into communities—if we want real change,' he emphasised. India's National Action Plan on AMR, nearing a decade since launch, remains limited in its implementation. 'We have a policy, but not a vertical program like for TB or HIV. That's why AMR doesn't get priority in funding or policy enforcement,' Dr. Gangakhedkar noted. Despite sepsis from multi-drug resistant organisms becoming one of India's top infectious killers, there is no emergency response system. 'We lack a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach. Without demand from the public or advocacy from clinicians, every death remains anecdotal,' he warned. Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, Director and CEO of C-CAMP, highlighted the emerging biotech response to AMR through the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH). 'Over 80 new diagnostic and therapeutic innovations are in the pipeline, including point-of-care detection tools, small-molecule therapies, peptides, and even mAbs,' he said. Within five years, IAIH aims to bring 15–20 AMR solutions to market. 'Our focus is on affordability, accessibility, and adaptability to Indian healthcare settings. We are also partnering with state governments to test and deploy these solutions,' Dr. Saiyed said. What Fuels the AMR Crisis? Rampant over-the-counter (OTC) use and physician-driven overprescription are key drivers. 'We frequently see patients self-medicating with azithromycin for fever,' said Dr. Singhal. 'There's an urgent need for public campaigns discouraging this behavior and educating people that antibiotics are not for viral infections.' Physician behavior must also change. 'Nearly 70% of outpatient visits are viral, yet antibiotics are often prescribed. Pharmacies dispensing antibiotics without prescriptions must be stopped. The government should crack down on irrational fixed-dose combinations and improve antibiotic quality,' she added. India's AMR crisis is tightly linked to its infectious disease burden. 'If we reduce infections, we automatically reduce antibiotic use,' Dr. Singhal argued. 'Better water, sanitation, hygiene, and vaccination—like typhoid vaccines—are critical long-term AMR containment tools.' A Call for National Coordination and Accountability All experts agreed that AMR cannot be tackled in silos. 'This is not just a medical or regulatory issue. It's a community issue, a veterinary issue, a poultry issue, a pharma issue. Everyone must be accountable,' Dr. Gangakhedkar stressed. Dr. Arora echoed that sentiment: 'No irrational antibiotic combinations should be manufactured or prescribed—anywhere. Regulatory agencies must crack down at the state level, and hospitals must not allow irrational drugs inside their doors.' India's AMR crisis is no longer silent—it is deafening for those willing to listen. But without systemic surveillance, public advocacy, rational prescription practices, and coordinated innovation, the country risks running out of curative options. As Dr. Gangakhedkar summed it up: 'Every patient asking, 'Do I really need this antibiotic?' is a step forward. Every death from untreatable infection must not be forgotten—it must become a rallying cry for urgent action.'
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
India plans coordinated FDI drive, eyes global investors in these key sectors
New Delhi: The Centre is working on a plan to create a more industry-friendly ecosystem for foreign direct investment (FDI), by identifying key sectors and reaching out to global companies for investments, according to two senior government officials aware of the matter. The plan, which will also draw on existing production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes and infrastructure development programs, involves close coordination between the Centre and states, the officials said on condition of anonymity. They added that the idea is to align states' efforts with national priorities, address local policy bottlenecks, and strengthen the country's overall manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem as the country attempts to boost annual FDI inflows to more than $100 billion over the next few years from $80-billion levels currently. So, what's the plan? As a first step, the Unionministry of commerce and industryis coordinating with Invest India, the country's top investment promotion and facilitation agency, to identify key value chains and sectors that require targeted intervention. 'We are mapping the sectors and value chains where India can play a larger role and then approaching global companies operating in those areas to bring in investment," the first official cited above said. 'We are working at both the state and central levels to provide all possible facilitation required by investors," the second official said. According to these officials, the Centre is focusing on sectors such as electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), chemicals, toys, and footwear—particularly non-leather footwear—where leading companies have shown strong interest in joining India's supply chain. In the toy sector especially, several global companies have begun discussions to set up manufacturing bases in India, drawn by government incentives and the expanding domestic market, the second person said, without naming the companies planning to invest in these sectors. The states in focus include Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, among others. Queries emailed to theministry of commerce and industry, whichis spearheading this initiative, remained unanswered till press time. Vivek Singhal, chief executive officer (CEO) of Bidso, a B2B manufacturer of outdoor toys, said that the influx of FDI can lead to a doubling of manufacturing units, adoption of advanced production technologies, and a shift from import dependence to domestic output, eventually making India a net exporter. 'India now manufactures 88% of the toys sold domestically and has a unique opportunity to become both a manufacturing powerhouse and a champion of its rich legacy in traditional toys," said Singhal. 'We are in touch with brands that lead design and innovation such as Buffalo Games and Chillafish to move their procurement to India." Here's more details The department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT), which comes under the Union commerce ministry, has tasked Invest India with identifying global investors, working with states to make necessary changes in the policy framework to provide a better investment ecosystem, and organising roadshows in different countries to woo investors. The DPIIT is coordinating with other line ministries such as ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), food processing, textiles, and heavy industries. To ease visas for investors, the DPIIT is working with the ministries of home affairs and external affairs. The Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0, which aims to decriminalise several Acts, has also been introduced to encourage investors by improving the overall ecosystem. The Bill is listed for presentation in the ongoing monsoon session and is likely to be tabled during the current session of Parliament, as per the officials cited above. Adding momentum to existing initiatives To be sure, the Centre is already offering financial support to attract investment and build more resilient supply chains within sectors–an example being the PLI scheme for electronic components administered by the MeitY. The second official cited above pointed out that apart from the procedural framework laid out under Press Note 3, which regulates FDI from countries sharing land borders with India, there are minimal regulatory hurdles for foreign money to come into the country. Between 2019 and 2024, the government undertook further liberalisation measures, including allowing 100% FDI under the automatic route in coal mining, contract manufacturing, and insurance intermediaries. In the 2025 Union Budget, it proposed raising the FDI limit for insurance companies from 74% to 100%, provided they invest their entire premium income within the country. India's FDI numbers India attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) worth $81.04 billion in FY25, marking a 14% jump from the previous year, data from the commerce ministry showed. The services sector emerged as the top recipient of FDI equity inflows, accounting for 19% of the total, with investments rising nearly 41% to $9.35 billion in FY25 from $6.64 billion a year earlier. This was followed by the computer software and hardware sector, which attracted 16% of inflows, and the trading sector, with an 8% share. India's cumulative FDI inflow over the last eleven years (2014-25) has reached $748.78 billion, a 143% rise over the preceding eleven-year period (2003-14), which saw $308.38 billion. The number of countries investing in India also rose to 112 in FY25, compared with 89 in FY14. FDI inflows into India peaked at $84.83 billion in the fiscal year 2021-22, according to data shared by minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary in the Lok Sabha on 10 March. Thereafter, the numbers declined to $71.35 billion in FY23 and $71.27 billion in FY24, following uncertainty about a potential global recession, economic crises triggered by geopolitical conflicts and rising global protectionist measures.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
MIT xPRO, Emeritus team up to launch PG course in AI & Data Science, aim to meet India's rising demand for AI talent
Massachusetts Institute of Technology's professional development arm, MIT xPRO, is joining forces with Emeritus to launch the Post Graduate Program in Data Science and AI, to equip professionals for the current fast-evolving landscape. MIT xPRO and Emeritus are collaborating to launch the Post Graduate Program in Data Science and AI. Check course details here. (Representative image/AI) The course will be delivered by the distinguished faculty at MIT, in a flexible online format, through self-paced videos. It provides access to 25+ industry-relevant tools and libraries, making it ideal for working professionals, as informed in a press statement. Learners will gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and libraries, build end-to-end AI/ML solutions. The programme also offers a 2-week capstone project to solve real-world challenges. From foundational techniques to advanced applications in deep learning, NLP, and generative AI, the curriculum enables learners to solve real-world problems with confidence and expertise. Professionals aiming to transition into or grow within the dynamic field of data science and advanced analytics can opt for the course. In addition, the program is also ideal for data analysts and business analysts seeking to enhance their analytical capabilities or pivot into more specialised data science roles. Moreover, tech professionals looking to apply data science techniques to solve real-world challenges and build future-ready, AI-powered solutions will also benefit significantly through this course. Avnish Singhal, Executive Vice President, Head India & APAC, Emeritus, spoke about the program and said that the course is designed to close that gap between ambition and capability, giving professionals the mindset, tools, and confidence to lead the AI revolution. 'This program stands out because of its real-world focus, it's not about learning AI in isolation, but about using it to solve business problems that matter,' Singhal added. Salient features of the program: Through this program, learners will be able to: Make strategic decisions by using data as a key driver of business growth and efficiency Build and deploy models using Python and Google Colab, gaining hands-on experience with key tools used by data science professionals. Translate technical results into business insights, bridging the gap between complex data outputs and executive-level decision-making Create a portfolio of real-world AI projects showcasing their ability to apply machine learning techniques to solve practical business problems Master next-gen AI tools and techniques, including ML and GenAI, to stay future-ready in an evolving data and AI landscape. Course details: Start Date: September 29, 2025 Duration: 9 Months Format: Online + Live Online Fee: INR 2,60,000 + GST Eligibility: Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree or higher. They should have basic knowledge of math, excel, dataset usage and exposure to programming concepts. Meanwhile, the program is also open to learners with no prior programming experience (but additional efforts may be required), the release added. Participants will be awarded a certificate of completion from MIT xPRO upon successful completion of the program with a minimum grading of 75%. For more information, visit the official website here.
Economic Times
23-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Eternal soars 10% as Blinkit reports strong performance
Mumbai: Shares of online delivery company Eternal surged more than 10% on Tuesday despite a sharp fall in fiscal first quarter net profit as brokerages raised target prices after strong management commentary and the company's quick commerce platform, Blinkit, recording robust performance during the period. ADVERTISEMENT The stock hit an all-time high of ₹311.3 during the day, before closing 10.3% higher at ₹299.8 on the NSE. The rally boosted Eternal's market cap to more than ₹3 lakh crore during the day, surpassing major Nifty 50 constituents, including Wipro, Tata Motors, JSW Steel, Nestle India, and Asian Paints. "The management said that the slowdown in the food delivery segment has bottomed out and is expected to resume the 18-20% growth trajectory," said Shobit Singhal, research analyst, Anand Rathi Institutional Equities. "Blinkit gained market share from Zepto and the losses that widened in the past few quarters due to competition from Zepto also improved." Singhal said Eternal's first quarer FY26 operating performance surpassed expectations, sparking the spurt in its shares of around 5% post results and more than 10% on Tuesday. "The markets were anticipating quick commerce business to reflect big losses; however, Blinkit reported less losses, and the company's peer Zepto is facing profitability and fundraising concerns," said Aniruddha Sarkar, chief investment officer, Quest Investment Advisors. "Among the peers, Eternal also has the best execution which works in its favour." In the last two quarters, Eternal shares were hammered due to Blinkit's performance and increased competition, which led the company to focus on aggressive growth in terms of dark store expansion, and this growth is bearing fruit now, said Sarkar. ADVERTISEMENT Brokerage JM Financial reiterated Eternal as their preferred pick with a price target of ₹320 and said that the positives in Blinkit are likely to outweigh the misses in other businesses. (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ED prayer for deemed sanction against IAS officer
Ranchi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a petition before special PMLA court in Ranchi requesting that since state government has not approved prosecution of IAS officer Puja Sighal in MNREGS scam and money laundering case the issue be considered as deemed sanction to prosecute her. Notably, Singhal is presently posted as secretary information technology and e-governance. The ED had filed a prosecution complaint against her in the MNREGA scam and money laundering case. The ED had asked permission from state for prosecuting here in the case but there has been no reply even after 120 days. As per the rules ED has recently filed the petition for allowing prosecution as if the sanction has been granted.
