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Time of India
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Scuffle at funeral in Ballia between Ex-MLA and former MP's son
VARANASI: High voltage drama unfolded in the Bairia area of Ballia district on Sunday evening when former MLA Surendra Singh and former MP Virendra Singh Mast's son, Vipulendra Pratap Singh, came face to face, and their supporters clashed. The incident occurred when they went to take part in a funeral at the cremation ground along the river Ganga in the Hukum Chhapra area. Ballia's Additional Superintendent of Police (Southern), Kripa Shankar, on Monday said that police were investigating the matter after lodging FIRs on the complaints of both groups. During the initial investigation, he said it came to light that the former MLA and Vipulendra, along with their supporters, went to take part in the funeral of Shyamu Upadhyay's wife when a dispute occurred, leading to a scuffle between them. FIRs were lodged after both parties filed their complaints with the Bairia police on Sunday late at night. After registering cases, necessary legal actions are being initiated, he added. Surendra Singh, who contested the 2022 assembly election as a rebel after BJP denied retaining a ticket to him due to his controversial statements after winning the 2017 assembly election from Bairia, and Vipulendra, whose father was also denied a ticket by BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, went to the cremation ground near Hukum Chhapra in the Bairia area on Sunday evening. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Take A Deep Breath Before You See Him Now The Noodle Box Undo During their stay at the cremation ground, some arguments started between the duo, leading to a physical altercation between Vipulendra's supporters and the former MLA. After the intervention of other people and dignitaries present there, both parties left the scene. However, upon reaching Devraj Brahm Baba turning, both groups confronted each other again. On being alerted by locals, Bairia police station in-charge Rakesh Kumar Singh reached there and also alerted senior officials after calling heavy forces from five neighbouring police stations. Before ASP CO Faheem Qureshi could reach the spot, the former MLA reached the Bairia police station to file a complaint against Vipulendra and his supporters for assault. In his complaint, the former MLA alleged that he was attacked by Vipulendra and his supporters, who attempted to kill him, and demanded action against them. Since the incident occurred in the Haldi police station area, the in-charge from Haldi was also called to Bairia by officials. Later, Vipulendra and his supporters, who stayed at the Sonbarsa cold storage until late in the evening, also lodged a complaint alleging that the former MLA's son and their supporters attacked Vipulendra.
News18
24-07-2025
- News18
Chhattisgarh Royal Family Dispute: I Am The True Heir, Says Dharmendra Singh In Big Twist
In 1997, Raja Surendra Singh declared his adopted son Dharmendra Singh as his successor, sparking controversy as he was not a blood heir but the son of a palace staff member The ongoing dispute over the historic Sakti princely state's palace in Chhattisgarh has taken a dramatic turn. Raja Dharmendra Singh has asserted his claim as the legitimate heir of Raja Saheb, emphasising that Raja Surendra Bahadur Singh adopted him in accordance with full social customs and that he possesses all relevant documents. Raja Dharmendra Singh of Sakti Rajmahal declared that the Hari Gujar Palace, also known as the Yellow Palace, is a heritage of the entire region and not merely a property. He vowed to protect this heritage, as his father Raja Surendra Bahadur Singh had done before him, even if it meant sacrificing his life. 'Even if I have to risk my life, I am prepared to do so. But after Raja Surendra Singh's death and my imprisonment based on a false report, certain individuals conspired to seize the palace. Taking advantage of the absence of family members, they stormed in with a well-planned attack, assaulting my wife and the staff present. They also looted Rs 50,000 in cash," Singh said. Goons Stormed The Palace On June 25 On June 25, a group of armed goons carrying sticks and guns stormed into the Yellow Palace of Sakti, triggering chaos inside the palace. The intruders assaulted the staff on duty and allegedly molested Raja Dharmendra Singh's wife, who was present at the time. The attack occurred while key members of the palace were away in Bilaspur to attend a court hearing for Raja Dharmendra Singh's bail. Earlier, the Sakti Court had sentenced him to seven years in prison in connection with the rape of a woman from the palace. This was not the first attack on the palace; an earlier attempt was made in 2022 when Raja Surendra Singh was still alive. At that time, he had written to the police administration requesting security for the palace. The Real Controversy Explained In 1997, Raja Surendra Singh publicly announced that Dharmendra Singh, whom he had adopted, would be the next king of Sakti state. However, this decision sparked controversy, as Dharmendra Singh was not a blood heir but the son of a palace employee. The dispute intensified following Raja Surendra Singh's death, with other royal family members refusing to acknowledge Dharmendra Singh as the rightful king. view comments 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.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
150 trees down, cars crushed: City sees 30 mins of mayhem
Noida: A roof was torn off a kiosk, plaster ripped from a building, and several trees and power poles were uprooted as a powerful storm and rain battered the city for over 30 minutes late on Saturday afternoon. Around 150 tree collapse incidents were reported from sectors 27, 53, 19 and 20. Twenty power and traffic poles were also uprooted, disrupting traffic movement in several stretches. Near DM Chowk in Sector 27, a traffic pole collapsed on a car, crushing its roof. Videos circulating on social media show motorists halt, duck, and cross the broken pole blocking the road. "The wind was strong and caused the pole to collapse. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. We removed the damaged pole, and the driver (of the Kia Seltos) managed to drive the car home. At present, we are managing traffic manually at this crossing and have informed the Noida Authority to replace the pole," said Surendra Singh, traffic sub-inspector. In Sector 27, a tree fell outside Kailash Hospital, blocking the road in front of the facility. The hospital staff and traffic police worked together to clear the obstruction. Another tree was uprooted near Film City in Sector 16, affecting traffic movement towards Sector 18. Videos shared on X showed the roof of a kiosk in Sector 151 being ripped off and blown away in the storm. In Greater Noida West, a large chunk of the plaster collapsed from the 22nd floor of a condominium, Ajnara Homes, during the rain and crashed on a car parked below, severely damaging it. Dinkar Pandey, a resident of the society, told TOI that the incident happened around 5 pm after a strong storm hit. "A large block of plaster from a concrete joint between towers I and J on the 22nd floor collapsed on a Honda Amaze parked in the surface parking area below. The chunk came down with a loud crash, triggering fear among residents," Pandey said. While no one was injured, a video of the incident shared on X showed that the window glass and roof of the car were shattered. A similar thunderstorm on Friday evening blew off the glass doors and windows at Jaypee Aman in Sector 151. Yogesh Singh, AOA president of the society, told TOI that the incident happened around 4.30 pm on Friday. "All flats in the society have PVC sliding doors on the balcony. On Friday evening, the sliding doors came crashing down at a flat on the 10th floor in Tower 23 due to the strong winds. No one was injured, but the damage is massive as the whole PVC pane has detached from the balcony wall, and the flat owners are now in discussions with the builder and maintenance office for repairs," said Singh. Hemant Parmar, a local resident, said there is no other residential society in the neighbourhood, and the society was open from all four sides. Air conditioner units were torn from their mounts due to the gusty winds in a few other flats. Vishal Bhutani, facility manager, said that about 15-20 flats were damaged due to wind and rainfall on Friday. "As per the builder-buyer agreement, the internal damages shall be borne by the flat owner,s while the outer damages shall be borne by the developer. However, since it is a natural calamity, we are holding talks with the residents to get the flats repaired amiably," he said.
News18
09-05-2025
- General
- News18
'Egg Of The Sun': This Rare Japanese Mango Costs More Than Diamonds
Last Updated: At Japan auctions, a single pair of Miyazaki mangoes, known as the "Egg of the Sun", can fetch an astonishing Rs 2.7 lakh (roughly $3,000). As summer's heat settles across the country, so does the seasonal craving for mangoes. But among the baskets of golden Alphonsos and Dasheris lies a rare, ruby-red jewel that has stunned both taste buds and wallets – the Miyazaki mango, widely considered the most expensive mango on Earth. Known poetically as the 'Egg of the Sun", the Miyazaki mango is a marvel of colour and craftsmanship. With its deep crimson skin and lusciously sweet flesh, this mango isn't just a fruit – it's a luxury item cultivated with meticulous care in Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture. Each fruit is pampered from the moment it begins to flower. Pollination isn't left to nature; it's done by hand. Once the fruit begins to grow, it's cradled in individual mesh nets, protecting it from pests and dust while ensuring uninterrupted sunlight for perfect ripening. This intense level of precision farming is what gives the Miyazaki mango its signature look and exceptional taste. Rich in antioxidants, dietary fibre, and natural sugars, the mango boasts a Brix score (a measure of sweetness) of 15 or more – placing it well above average mangoes in both taste and texture. The flesh is soft, buttery, and so decadently sweet that it often replaces dessert entirely. All this care comes at a price. At auctions in Japan, a single pair of Miyazaki mangoes can fetch an astonishing Rs 2.7 lakh (roughly $3,000) especially when they meet the highest quality grade and are labeled as 'Eggs of the Sun'. Their rarity and labour-intensive production process ensure that only a limited number ever reach this elite category. In 2021, Surendra Singh, a farmer from Bihar, made headlines by successfully cultivating Miyazaki mangoes on in India. After importing two saplings from Japan, Singh managed to harvest 21 mangoes in his very first season. His quiet agricultural experiment ignited widespread interest among farmers in growing high-end, exotic fruits. Although Indian-grown Miyazaki mangoes don't yet command the same prices as their Japanese counterparts, their very presence hints at a transformative shift in the country's farming landscape. First Published: May 09, 2025, 17:26 IST
Mint
30-04-2025
- Health
- Mint
The changing face of the Indian healthcare industry: A focus on access, affordability and quality
A growing demand for personalised healthcare, efficiencies in healthcare costs and digital innovations are changing the face of the Indian healthcare industry. There is a strong push towards achieving greater levels of efficiencies in healthcare costs that have burgeoned in India in the past few years, thereby ensuring that quality healthcare becomes more accessible and sustainable. Powering this transformation are rapid advancements in the digital space, which are creating new possibilities in how healthcare is delivered and experienced by both sides – patients as well as providers. In a country as vast and diverse as India, this is expected to address some fundamental challenges, including expanding access to quality healthcare across different geographies ensuring affordability for a much larger section of our population and, at the same time, elevating the quality of healthcare being provided. Global Capability Centres (GCCs) like Optum India, the GCC of United Health Group, are playing a pivotal part in this transformation journey as they move beyond traditional roles focused on cost savings and operational efficiency. In a recent panel discussion, leaders from Optum India – including Rohit Agarwal, Senior Vice President for Transformation, Innovation and Enablement, Abhishek Kumar, Senior Vice President for Operations, Surendra Singh, Senior Vice President for Operations, Madhuri Raya, Vice President of Software Engineering – shared their insights on the pressing issues faced by the Indian healthcare industry and the way forward towards a more human-centered health system, driven by frontline-led innovation and deeply integrated TechOps cultures. Key challenges in healthcare 'I think the three key challenges in healthcare are lower cost, improved access to care and the quality of outcomes. The healthcare cost has been steadily rising over the years. If you were to look at the US, I think it has crossed over 5 trillion more than the inflation in the country,' said Surendra Singh, as he set the context for the discussion. The second challenge – access to healthcare in the remote corners of any country – saw advancements during the pandemic with the introduction of tele-health, which brought your doctor closer home on your smartphone screen. But, this also has its challenges in terms of safety, privacy, and the depth to which teleconsulting can actually provide the right degree of care. Finally, he stressed on the imperative of not just providing care but ensuring its effectiveness. 'Technology has enabled us to manage health outcomes in real time, manage protocols, procedures, best actions, medicine adherence, and so on. We need to continue to strengthen some of these to become more real time, to be able to and also start monitoring health outcomes, rather than just in and out of healthcare facilities. Abhishek Kumar stressed that the core of any healthcare system is the interaction between a physician and the patient. 'Everything around that is really an admin setup to enable that entire process. Unfortunately, what happens today is a lot of time a physician spends doing a lot of admin activities, which is essential to be able to get reimbursements for the care provided. I think moving away from a volume-based care to a value-based care, creating incentive for physicians for delivering value pitches, which means you avoid readmission, you improve medication adherence – that's the broad impact that the entire thing creates.' Addressing challenges using technology However, physicians need the right actionable knowledge in order to offer value-based care to their patients with more personalised healthcare outcomes at reduced costs. For patients, the goal is empowerment through information, so that they can make the right healthcare decisions for themselves. All this is being made possible through technology. Outlining the key technological trends in this space, Madhuri Raya highlighted the potential of tele health to 'increase the accessibility, whether you are in the rural areas or if you are on a mobile' and the transformative impact of emerging tech to 'deliver the personalised care to patients based on their previous markers'. Interoperability, she explained, is crucial for enabling large population health data analysis. There is a preventive and a curative aspect to healthcare, and both of these need to be integrated into the solutions as hyper personalisation enables people to take better care of themselves with the use of data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging tech like smart wearables, which can help with prevention as well as cure with early diagnosis. Innovative solutions for the healthcare ecosystem The panel went on to discuss the key drivers for innovation, which include people, process, technology and data. It starts with an informed and a tech-enabled consumer who can use the internet and understand his/ her health condition, find the right doctor, carry out a price comparison, set up an appointment and make alterations, if needed. 'It is making sure that the entire healthcare experience is in the hands of the consumer at a place and at a time when the consumer needs it. I think that is going to be an absolutely critical trend,' said Rohit Agarwal. The second one is around wellness, which is gaining priority. The third one is a digital platform that helps drive interoperability and the last one is the move towards value-based competency models. Agarwal further felt Optum is a key driver of this change, and said: 'I think Optum is well-positioned to really accelerate and drive this innovation in the healthcare industry. We've got a program that we call Innovate, which is our innovation framework, which really helps us bring together multiple aspects of what really is needed to guide that innovation and is helping us really accelerate innovation.' Synergy between technology and business operations The panellists underscored the critical need for alignment between technology and operations, which is a shift from the historic model wherein technology and operations were two distinct functions operating out of different office spaces. 'If we are able to look at co-location of operations and technology teams, that can drive a lot of synergies, and fill a lot of silos. Getting technology and ops together allows you to be able to make sure that your technology roadmap is linked to the preferences and the requirements of the patient and the provider,' said Kumar. 'The second element is how do you look at adjacent capabilities, and how do you create value out of that? At Optum, we have all the capabilities. We run claims, we do revenue cycle management, we do clinical, pharmacy benefit management. If you look at that, each one of them serves the patient or the provider at some stage or the other. Now, each of them is interconnected,' he further said. Identifying opportunities The healthcare space is dotted with new innovations to tackle challenges around quality and consumer experience. The panel also discussed how leaders can find the right solutions to prioritise. 'Innovation is going to be effective only when it's aligned to the priorities of the enterprise. So it is extremely critical that we make sure that everybody in the organisation understands what enterprise priorities are,' said Agarwal. He also stressed upon the importance of a patient-centric approach and added: 'it is important to make sure that we are putting the consumer at the centre of everything we do that makes sure that we focus on the right real problems, the real pain points.' At Optum, this is done through 'voice of the consumer surveys', 'voice of the employee', and 'voice of the process'. 'We leverage our Innovate framework...a multi-faceted program that brings people, process, technology and data together to make sure that we're able to really focus on the key things and accelerate innovation across the company. Ideas can be everywhere, but ideas really are created or brought together when we have a strong innovation culture. And for me, I think that is the single most important thing,' he said. Developing the Tech organisation Players like Optum offer multiple ways for business teams to stay up to date with this landscape of changing technologies and continued innovation. Raya spoke about Optum Tech University which offers a lot of courses in technology, operational agility, organisational agility, design thinking, customer centricity, and the like. They also organise industry-focused events that 'bring in the industry leaders, our technology partners and our own employees in one explore what we can do for the future of technology'. 'Continuous upskilling and reskilling and the creation of an environment like a sandbox that employees can actually work there, build their systems without disrupting their core functionality' are some of the important steps towards innovation. The panel stressed the importance of building solutions that are scalable. 'A creativity mindset is key when you are building solutions, identifying your stakeholders and engaging with them. I think the diverse perspectives from multiple stakeholders helps in building strong systems,' said Raya. 'Innovation initiatives should be aligned to strategic objectives that they have to be measured against some predefined KPIs, that emphasise the importance of balancing our short-term wins versus long-term value creation,' said Singh. He enlisted some key points that make innovations successful, the first of which is adoption both internally by employees and externally by customers for which they need to be simple and effective. 'I think higher rates of adoption are a true signal that we have really solved a real-world problem, either internally, for our team members or for our members or customers. Second, you will measure them qualitatively as well as quantitatively,' he said. In conclusion, the future of Indian healthcare is linked to the evolution of its GCCs. As these hubs continue to mature, their focus on technological advancement, innovative solutions, and a deeply ingrained patient-first approach will be instrumental in building a healthcare ecosystem that is more efficient and accessible to all but also fundamentally more attuned to the individual needs of every Indian. First Published: 30 Apr 2025, 06:19 PM IST
