Category: LIFESTYLE

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) India’s tourism sector is poised to get a big push with the Union Budget for 2026-27 proposing a series of targeted interventions to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance service quality, and improve destination competitiveness.

Tourism has a significant potential for employment generation, foreign exchange earnings, and balanced regional development. Owing to its strong multiplier effect and capacity to create livelihoods across hospitality, transport, handicrafts, and allied services, tourism has been identified as a strategic growth driver in the Budget, according to an official factsheet issued on Tuesday.

Based on the ‘India Tourism Data Compendium 2025’ by the Ministry of Tourism, the sector contributes 5.22 per cent to India’s GDP (total impact), with a direct share of 2.72 per cent. It also supports 13.34 per cent of total employment, with a direct employment share of 5.82 per cent, reflecting its strong role in livelihood generation and inclusive development.

Major initiatives that will be undertaken, following the presentation of the Budget, which include destination development and of the modernisation tourist sector through proposals for heritage and experiential site development, creation of digital knowledge grids for tourism assets, and promotion of nature-based and wildlife tourism.

The focus will be on preserving temples and monasteries, creating pilgrimage centres, and improving connectivity and amenities in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.

Five major tourism destinations will be developed across Purvodaya States with 4,000 e-buses for connectivity as part of the proposals. Besides, five regional medical hubs will be established, to promote India as a hub for medical tourism services.

The proposals also include the development of 15 archaeological sites including Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur, and Leh Palace with the aim of converting them into developed vibrant, experiential cultural destinations.

As part of the package, India plans to host the first Global Big Cat Summit, bringing together leaders and ministers from 95 countries, reinforcing India’s leadership in eco-tourism diplomacy.

Other proposals to accelerate the development of tourism are the establishment of a National Institute of Hospitality to address skill gaps and align academic training with industry requirements, as well as a pilot programme to upskill 10,000 tourist guides at iconic destinations through partnerships with premier institutions. These measures are aimed at improving workforce productivity and elevating visitor experiences across key tourism circuits.

Overall, the Union Budget 2026–27 positions tourism as a resilient and high-impact sector within India’s economic framework, with a clear focus on job creation, investment stimulation, and sustainable growth across regions, the factsheet added.

–IANS

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Gandhinagar, Feb 23 (IANS) Gujarat has 2.73 crore active Ayushman cards holders under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana–Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana (PMJAY-MA), with Rs 7,235.49 crore sanctioned against 27.55 lakh claims over the past two years, government told the State Assembly on Monday.

Replying to a query in the House, state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the scheme continues to see substantial enrollment and utilisation across the state.

“At present, 2.73 crore Ayushman cards are active in the state,” he added.

Providing details, the Minister said that in 2024–25, as many as 25.24 lakh new Ayushman cards were approved.

“During the same period, 13.40 lakh claims were sanctioned, amounting to Rs 3,666.53 crore.”

“In 2025–26 so far, 31.78 lakh new cards have been approved, while 14.15 lakh claims have been cleared, with Rs 3,568.96 crore sanctioned towards treatment costs.”

The Minister said that strict action is taken against hospitals found violating the rules or standard operating procedures of the scheme.

“Over the last two years, 49 hospitals have been suspended, of which 29 remain under suspension.”

Citing a specific instance, Minister Pansheriya added that in the case of JCCC Hospital in Jamnagar, a penalty of Rs 8.69 lakh was recovered.

The doctor held responsible was suspended from the scheme and the matter was reported to the Medical Council.

In the state Budget, Rs 3,472 crore has been allocated for PMJAY-MA.

The state government said it aims to build a healthy society through the provision of quality healthcare services.

The scope of IVF treatment has also been expanded, and the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) at Ahmedabad, will extend IVF treatment facilities to Surat, Bhavnagar and Jamnagar.

As of November last year, 2,090 hospitals are empanelled under PMJAY–MA in Gujarat, including 1,132 government hospitals and 958 private hospitals.

Beneficiaries can avail treatment for 2,299 medical procedures, along with 50 Specialised Referral Services.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 23 (IANS) Shares of Sudarshan Pharma Industries slipped over 3 per cent on Monday after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) department initiated an inspection and search operation at the company’s registered office.

The stock fell 3.06 per cent on the BSE to hit an intra-day low of Rs 25.62 per share. At 1:10 PM, the shares were trading at the same level, down 3.06 per cent.

Over the past one year, Sudarshan Pharma’s stock has declined around 19 per cent, according to the official data.

The decline in the company’s share price came after it informed exchanges that the GST department had initiated an inspection, search and seizure operation at its registered office on February 21, 2026.

In its regulatory filing, the company said it is in the process of collating information and responding to the authorities.

It added that the final report related to the search and seizure will be concluded as per the prescribed procedures.

Despite the recent development, the company had reported improved financial performance for the December quarter.

For Q3FY26, Sudarshan Pharma posted a net profit of Rs 4.15 crore, slightly higher than Rs 3.9 crore reported in the same quarter last year.

Revenue from operations rose sharply to Rs 168 crore, compared to Rs 115.65 crore a year ago.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) stood at Rs 23.4 crore, up from Rs 16.6 crore in the year-ago period.

However, the EBITDA margin declined to 22.8 per cent from 39.9 per cent year-on-year.

In its filing, the company said it is focusing on increasing exports and expanding manufacturing sales.

It also highlighted efforts to improve profit margins from the resale of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in domestic markets.

According to the company, these initiatives helped it achieve substantial growth in profit after tax during FY25.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) In a significant development, organ transplants have seen a 4-fold increase in the country — from less than 5,000 in 2013 to nearly 20,000 in 2025, according to the government.

Moreover, nearly 18 per cent of transplants are currently being performed with organs donated from deceased donors.

Notably, more than 4.8 lakh citizens have registered to donate organs and tissues after death through a Aadhaar-based verification system, since September 17, 2023, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data.

The country achieved a significant milestone in the field of organ donation and transplantation, with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) recording unprecedented progress in organ donation, allocation, and transplantation across the country.

The ministry further informed that over 1,200 families came forward to donate organs of their loved one after death in the year 2025, saving thousands of lives and improving the quality of lives of many others.

Each donor is now a multi-organ donor, transforming lives of many.

The country has achieved competence in performing difficult organ transplants like heart, lungs and pancreas.

“India also leads the world in hands transplants and performs a greater number of hand transplants than any other country. These remarkable achievements reflect the strong and sustained impetus provided by the Government of India, translating policy vision into measurable, life-saving outcomes,” according to Health Ministry.

India has one the best of transplant professionals and surgeons in the world who have achieved outcomes comparable to the best in the world and that too at a fraction of cost.

Increasing numbers of families are stepping forward during moments of profound grief to give the gift of life, transforming loss into hope for countless recipients.

NOTTO calls for promoting a culture of organ and tissue donation in government establishments, institutions and organisations etc. NOTTO promotes multi-organ donations as a right of every family.

The progress achieved under NOTTO’s stewardship also strengthens India’s vision of self-reliance in advanced healthcare, reducing dependence on overseas transplants while ensuring ethical, transparent, and equitable practices within the country.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, said on Sunday that India remains committed to making the global clean energy transition faster, fairer and development-oriented for the benefit of people and the planet.

In an X post, replying to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the minister said that India’s clean energy journey is rooted in action, ambition and inclusion.

“Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, we are expanding renewable capacity at scale while powering industry, livelihoods and innovation,” Joshi stated.

Guterres had said that India is proving it’s possible to expand clean energy access and grow industry at the same time.

“Together, let’s turn climate necessity into development opportunity and make the clean energy transition fair and faster for people and planet,” he mentioned in an X post.

Meanwhile, India is emerging as a global leader in renewable energy expansion.

India is committed to reducing its GDP emissions intensity of greenhouse gases by 2030 to a level of 45 per cent below 2005 levels, raise share of non-fossil fuel electric power capacity to 50 per cent, and create carbon sink of 2.5 billion tonnes to three billion tonnes.

The country has already achieved nearly two-thirds of its nationally determined contributions in fighting climate change four years ahead of schedule.

At the ‘India AI Impact Summit 2026’ here, Guterres cited AI fragmentation risks, calling for global interoperability standards for better outcomes at

Guterres said that today, international cooperation is difficult.

“Technological rivalry is growing. Without a common baseline, fragmentation wins, with different regions and different countries operating under incompatible policies and technical standards,” he warned. Addressing the Summit, he said that when we agree on how to test systems and measure risk, we create interoperability.

Guterres also called for science-led AI guardrails to protect people and accelerate innovation. According to the UN Secretary-General, AI guardrails must build confidence and give business clarity so innovation can move faster in the right direction.

—IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) India’s pharmaceutical exports grew by 9.4 per cent in 2024–25 to reach $30.47 billion, and the industry is now preparing to achieve double-digit growth in 2026–27 with strong government support, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Saturday.

The interaction, organised on the theme “Scaling up Pharma Exports,” reflected the government’s focus on expanding India’s global footprint in medicines through closer coordination with industry and regulators.

The initiative is being carried forward under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India’s pharmaceutical sector, currently valued at around $60 billion, is projected to grow to $130 billion by 2030, the ministry said.

The country ranks third globally in terms of volume of medicines produced and exports its pharmaceutical products to more than 200 countries.

Over 60 per cent of these exports go to highly regulated markets. The United States accounts for 34 per cent of India’s pharmaceutical exports, while Europe contributes 19 per cent.

In a video message, the Commerce Secretary emphasised the need for regular engagement with exporters and manufacturers, along with timely responses to challenges in regulated markets.

He reiterated the Prime Minister’s vision of strengthening India’s position as a trusted global trade partner and ensuring that affordable, high-quality medicines from India continue to reach people across the world.

The inaugural session saw participation from the Department of Commerce, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), and the Food and Drugs Control Administration, along with industry representatives.

Discussions focused on simplifying regulatory processes, improving export facilitation and aligning policies with the next phase of sectoral growth, it added.

Special attention was given to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which often face compliance, documentation and inspection challenges.

Participants also discussed the direction set in the Union Budget 2026–27, which places biopharma and biologics at the centre of India’s healthcare and manufacturing priorities.

The proposed Biopharma SHAKTI initiative, with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore over five years, aims to strengthen India’s ecosystem for biologics and biosimilars, reduce import dependence and help the country capture 5 per cent of the global biopharmaceutical market.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that artificial intelligence (AI) is set to remove subjectivity from medical diagnosis, helping doctors deliver more precise and patient-specific treatment in the years ahead.

Speaking at the “Medllumina 2026: International Multi Specialty Medical Conference,” Dr. Singh said AI-powered tools will significantly reduce human error in clinical decision-making.

He explained that in traditional diagnosis, doctors rely heavily on personal judgement and experience.

For example, a pathologist examining a cancer biopsy slide with the naked eye might miss a tiny but critical cluster of affected cells.

“However, an AI-enabled system can scan the slide and directly point to the exact area that needs attention. This reduces the chances of oversight and improves accuracy,” he stated.

“AI tools can also analyse a patient’s complete medical data during clinical examinations and flag important findings that might otherwise go unnoticed. This will strengthen diagnosis and lead to better treatment outcomes,” the Minister said.

Highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Singh said modern medicine is no longer limited to one field.

“With the rise of super-specialisation, doctors often work within narrow domains. Platforms like multi-speciality conferences create space for dialogue across disciplines such as medical technology, engineering and advanced data sciences,” Dr. Singh explained.

Tracing the journey of medical science over the past few decades, he said healthcare has moved from classical bedside learning to advanced imaging and molecular technologies.

“From ultrasound and CT scans to MRI and genomics, diagnostic tools have evolved rapidly,” the MoS stated.

He added that while earlier medical mastery depended mainly on extensive reading and clinical experience, AI systems now act as powerful support tools that enhance doctors’ judgement rather than replace it.

Dr. Singh also pointed to changes in India’s disease patterns. Illnesses that were once confined to specific regions, such as diabetes in southern states or thyroid disorders in Himalayan areas, are now widespread across the country due to lifestyle changes and shrinking rural-urban gaps.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Saturday launched the indigenously manufactured Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine at the Central Research Institute in Himachal Pradesh, calling it a historic step towards strengthening India’s public health system and achieving self-reliance in healthcare.

The vaccine was launched at the Central Research Institute, Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh. Addressing scientists, technical experts and staff, Nadda congratulated the institute for developing the vaccine in India and described the occasion as momentous.

“The launch marks an important step in safeguarding national health security and strengthening the country’s public health infrastructure,” he said.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has set clear targets to achieve self-reliance in the health and pharmaceutical sectors,” the minister stated.

He said the indigenous Td vaccine is a concrete move towards the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in healthcare.

With its formal launch, the Td vaccine has been introduced for supply under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).

The Central Research Institute will supply 55 lakh doses to the programme by April 2026.

Production is expected to increase further in the coming years to strengthen the immunisation drive across the country.

Highlighting India’s global reputation, Nadda said the country is known as the “pharmacy of the world” and is one of the leading vaccine manufacturers globally.

“India has achieved Maturity Level 3 in the World Health Organisation’s global benchmarking of regulatory systems — reflecting the strength of its vaccine regulatory framework,” he noted.

The Minister also recalled how vaccine development timelines were much longer in the past.

He said tetanus vaccine development took decades globally, tuberculosis medicines took nearly 30 years to evolve, and the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine required decades of scientific effort.

“In contrast, during the COVID-19 pandemic, India developed two indigenous vaccines within nine months and administered over 220 crore doses, including booster shots,” Nadda explained.

He added that vaccination certificates were delivered digitally, showing India’s digital progress in healthcare.

Referring to the Vaccine Maitri initiative, Nadda said India supplied COVID-19 vaccines to nearly 100 countries, including 48 countries that received them free of cost.

“Public sector institutions such as CRI strengthened India’s ability to meet both domestic and global needs,” he mentioned.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) As India moves decisively toward a voice-first digital ecosystem, it is imperative that we build this transition on strong policy foundations and practical implementation frameworks, Amitabh Nag, CEO, Digital India BHASHINI Division, has said.

Voice technologies are becoming foundational to digital inclusion in India and against this backdrop, a new Policy Report and Developers’ Toolkit on voice technologies was launched at the ‘India AI Summit Expo 2026’ here.

“The Policy Report and Developers’ Toolkit provides a structured roadmap for building open, inclusive, and responsible speech technologies in India. While the policy recommendations guide ecosystem alignment, the Developers’ Toolkit translates these principles into actionable practices across the AI lifecycle — from data collection and model development to deployment and governance,” explained Nag.

The report proposes targeted policy recommendations to strengthen the voice-technology ecosystem, including treating foundational speech datasets as digital public goods, improving openness and representativeness of models, investing in sustainable public infrastructure, and embedding safeguards to prevent misuse while enabling innovation.

The toolkit were jointly developed by ARTPARK at IISc, Digital Futures Lab and Trilegal with support from Bhashini and the FAIR Forward – AI for All initiative, implemented by GIZ (German Development Cooperation) funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

In a linguistically diverse country like India, voice technologies represent a critical layer of digital public infrastructure, lowering barriers to digital access through speech-based applications.

However, the development and deployment of speech technologies also raise complex questions around data governance, inclusion, openness, quality, and responsible use.

The Developers’ Toolkit complements the policy analysis by highlighting key challenges faced by developers working with Indian-language voice datasets and building voice applications.

It identifies structural gaps within India’s speech and language technology ecosystem, including uneven data representation, weak quality assurance mechanisms, limited evaluation practices, and fragmented governance structures.

“When voice AI works in local languages and dialects, it becomes a gateway to public services, health care, education, and economic participation,” said Dr. Ariane Hildebrandt, Director-General of the department for global health, equality of opportunity, digital technologies and food security; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

—IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram Feb 20 (IANS) For years, Kerala’s public health system has been showcased as a model for the rest of India — efficient, accessible, and comparable to the best in the world.

State Health Minister Veena George, a journalist-turned-legislator of the CPI-M, has repeatedly asserted that the state’s healthcare standards rival global benchmarks.

But when surgical scissors are left inside a patient’s stomach – in a new case that was revealed on Friday, the rhetoric begins to sound painfully hollow.

An older victim again relived her trauma before television cameras.

Harshina, a housewife from Kozhikode who had unknowingly carried a pair of scissors in her abdomen for years following a surgery at a government hospital, expressed solidarity with the victim of a similar incident at Alappuzha Medical College.

Even though her own scissors were removed later, she says, justice eludes her even today.

“The Health Minister repeats the same narrative every time: a grave issue, a probe, serious action. But I am still fighting for justice,” she said.

That refrain, inquiry, suspension, stern warning has become predictable.

Each time a shocking lapse surfaces, the response follows a script.

Meanwhile, television channels on Friday aired compilations of past medical blunders, juxtaposed with official statements promising accountability.

The pattern is unmistakable, outrage fades, committees are formed, and the system moves on without structural reform.

Opposition leaders have seized on the moment.

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan argues that beyond statements, Kerala’s health sector is “on ventilator support”.

Protests by Congress and BJP workers in Alappuzha underscore growing public anger at what they call governmental indifference.

The tragedy is not just the negligence of an individual surgical team.

It is the deeper malaise of a system unwilling to confront its own fragility.

Chronic staff shortages, overburdened hospitals and weak monitoring mechanisms cannot be masked by celebratory press conferences, with frequent claims, first in the world, first in India and first time in Kerala.

With Assembly elections approaching, the contrast between narrative and lived reality may become politically consequential.

Kerala’s health sector has genuine strengths, but credibility erodes when repeated lapses are met with rehearsed responses.

A system that cannot ensure something as basic as surgical protocol compliance cannot claim world-class status.

Until accountability is visible and reform tangible, every forgotten instrument will cut deeper than the last.

–IANS

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