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Hans India
5 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Bihar: Motihari beneficiaries count benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme, thank govt
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) - the largest publicly funded health assurance scheme in the world, providing health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation, is yielding considerable results in the city as thousands of residents have registered themselves for the scheme and are also drawing benefits from it. Unlike earlier, people from the lower and middle class background are getting themselves treated at hospitals without any expense. Those suffering from diseases are undergoing treatment in private hospitals of Motihari and also getting operated upon the PM-JAY. Many patients spoke to IANS, sharing how got operated on for hernia and other diseases like appendix, without accruing any financial burden. Beneficiary Virendra Shah said: "This scheme is very beneficial as the treatment of disease has become very expensive." Prem Kumar said: "If this scheme had not been introduced by the government, poor people like us would have either had to mortgage our jewellery or sell our land, but now, thanks to the government's scheme, we are getting treatment without spending a single rupee." A female beneficiary, Sangeeta Kumar, said: "We had got the Ayushman card made a long time ago. When we knew that treatment is being done under this scheme in this hospital, we came here. We are thankful to the government." Dr. Ajay Verma, a city doctor treating these patients also praised the PM-JAY. "Earlier, if farmers or poor people had a major illness and needed treatment, they had to sell rice and wheat or mortgage their jewellery to get treatment. But, PM-JAY is giving new life to people. People now come to the hospital without paying any money and go after getting treatment. Earlier they used to worry about both the disease and money, but now this does not happen," he told IANS.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Border conflict grounds summer holiday plans
Ahmedabad: Operation Sindoor may have struck terrorist targets across the border, but it has also shaken up vacation plans back home. The aftermath of the Indian military's action in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has triggered flight shutdowns, trip cancellations, and a wave of uncertainty in the tourism sector. Tour operators, who were banking on the peak travel season, say this is the worst May they have seen in especially to popular northern destinations, is taking a direct hit. Airports in Jodhpur, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Jammu, and Kashmir — all in proximity to the international border — have been shut for civilian aircraft operations until May 10, leading to massive disruptions in travel schedules. Cancellations are pouring in. Travel agencies are scrambling for updates, as there remains no clear word on when normal operations will Sharma, vacationing in Uttarakhand, said, "We had a packed itinerary from Nainital Jim Corbett and Mussoorie to Rishikesh, but we have cancelled everything except Nainital. We are playing it safe and heading back as planned from Dehradun."Travel consultants confirm that panic and unpredictability have taken over what would normally be a season of packed itineraries and hill station getaways. "People who were already vacationing in Himachal Pradesh have cut short their trips. The North is totally out of the question now. Nearly 95% of the bookings for northern destinations, primarily Uttarakhand, Himachal, and Jammu & Kashmir, for the month of May have been called off," said Virendra Shah, a travel a business standpoint, the ripple effect is undeniable. Tour operators, who were optimistic about some revival in business, are suddenly staring at dry leads and refund requests. The sentiment is clear: nobody wants to travel under fear."A majority of travel industry players have suffered about 70% revenue loss for existing bookings during the peak leisure holiday season. The impact has not spared international travel either. While a select few tourists have gone to the UK or Spain for a long-haul visit, travellers bound for Turkey, Dubai, Bali, Indonesia and the Maldives are backing out at the last minute as well. There's an air of hesitation that was not there a week ago," said Ankit Bajaj, another travel expert, highlighting the uncertainty clouding future bookings."This conflict has not just disrupted logistics, it has shaken the mood of the traveller. Thus, even if the journey is a month from now, people are unwilling to travel and are blatantly cancelling travel plans," Bajaj Chhajer, chairman of GCCI's tourism committee, said, "Domestic air travel is badly hit due to airport shutdowns.. However, international travel is relatively steady, except for a few cancellations by govt employees whose leaves have been cancelled. Except for Turkey and Azerbaijan, other destinations are less affected." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ahmedabad–US airfares nosedive as visa rush slows
Ahmedabad: If you have ever dreamt of flying to the United States but were grounded by sky-high airfare, this summer might just be your moment, provided you have a valid visa to the American land. A sharp dip in travel demand, especially among students, coupled with visa woes for tourists and foreign education aspirants, has led to a dramatic fall in airfare prices from Ahmedabad to the US, offering a golden window for globetrotters, according to industry travel booked on May 8 for a round trip between June 8 and 21, the cost of a one-stop, 19-hour flight between Ahmedabad and the US is now pegged at approximately Rs 85,000. That breaks down to just Rs 42,500 one-way — nearly or less than half of what flyers paid last year. Compare that with the jaw-dropping summer 2024 fares that reached up to Rs 2.2 lakh for a round trip."This is a steep decline as compared to last year. It will benefit tourists who plan to visit the US this year. However, there is a marked 35-40% decline in group tour bookings to the US, thanks to visa issues and unavailability of slots for visitor visas. Moreover, the uncertainty around policies of the new govt, more people are refraining from making travel plans to the US," said Manish Sharma, owner of a travel company from woes have deterred many visitors from going to the US. An overall reduced intake has impacted airfares. Virendra Shah, a travel expert, said, "A combination of factors including changing visa policies amidst geopolitical shifts have caused fewer flyers to visit the US. With the US govt's stricter immigration stance tightening the pipeline for students and tourists, the once-bursting outbound traffic from India has notably thinned. Fewer visa approvals mean fewer fliers, and airlines are responding by slashing prices to fill up seats. Due to stricter policies, people are rethinking their travel plans."According to travel industry players, flights to the US from not just Ahmedabad, but also Mumbai and Delhi, are seeing a similar trend. "Due to visa issues, fewer students are going this time around as compared to last year. Moreover, student visits will begin from July-end onwards for the fall intake and therefore, the current airfares will certainly be less," said Bhavin Thaker, foreign education improved air connectivity between India and the US has played a key role in the reduction of fares. With more one-stop options and streamlined connections through international hubs, flyers now enjoy better schedules and competitive pricing. This fare drop comes as an unexpected relief for leisure travellers, business professionals and even Indian Americans planning to visit family back Quotes:Leisure travel remains strong, with 15-day tourist packages selling well for those with valid visitor visas. Such tourists currently benefit from lower airfares to the Shah, travel expertStudent travel numbers this season are expected to be lower due to visa issues and limited appointment availability. Airfares are likely to increase towards the end of July as the peak season for the fall intake begins Bhavin Thaker, foreign education consultant
