IMA Gujarat, Ahmedabad Medical Association hold condolence meet for doctors who lost their lives in Air India crash

Shillong, Jan 20 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday launched the Early Child Development (ECD) Framework and the ECD content package including training materials for caregivers and frontline workers, developed by Sesame Workshop in collaboration with the government, officials said.

Speaking during the launch, Chief Minister Sangma, expressing his congratulatory words on the launch of the ECD framework and content, said: “A lot of research has gone in the last one and a half years in developing the ECD content that has been tailor-made for our state, and it is critical to understand the local challenges while using the local culture, knowledge and systems that already exists to which children, teachers and parents can relate to.”

He further elaborated that having a tailor-made curriculum and content suitable for the state will add to the success of the ECD programme that the government has embarked upon.

The Chief Minister also stated that a lot of care and thought has gone into the planning of the ECD Mission and the next crucial step is the implementation and suggested that the institutional systems that are already in place be involved to achieve that larger goal of the ECD.

“This programme has gained a lot of attention from not only within our own country but also the South East Asian region and this can be a great game changer, a learning experience and a model for others to follow,” he added.

CM Sangma also mentioned that while the child’s analytical and cognitive skills are being developed during the ECD stage, time is also crucial to develop values of cleanliness, respect for the environment, patriotism, nationalism and in being a responsible citizen.

“Having activities that will incorporate values and principles should be a part of the curriculum,” he said.

The Chief Minister further spoke about the different programs of the state government that have shifted from scheme-based programmes to focusing on the individuals and the beneficiaries.

–IANS

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Raipur, April 20 (IANS) More legal troubles are mounting for Narendra Yadav, allegedly a “fake” cardiac surgeon who is already under scrutiny for conducting numerous surgeries with fatal outcomes.

The Chhattisgarh Police have officially lodged an FIR against Yadav and Apollo Hospital management, Bilaspur, at the Sarkanda Police Station in Bilaspur following complaint from Pradeep Shukla, the son of late Rajendra Shukla, a former Speaker of both the Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh Assemblies.

According to police, Pradeep accused that Yadav conducted treatment of his father, which resulted in the latter’s death.

According to city Superintendent of Police Siddharth Baghel, “Pradeep Shukla has filed a complaint against Apollo Hospital (management) at Sarkanda police station; alleging his father, who was the Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Assembly, was admitted to the hospital in 2006. He stated that his father was admitted to the hospital for 18 days in 2006. After undergoing cardiac surgery performed by Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, who is now under arrest, his father was kept in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital following the surgery but he died. During the investigation at Sarkanda Police Station, it was found that the doctor had forged his documents. He was neither registered with the Medical Council of India nor the Chhattisgarh Medical Council. Despite this, he had been performing cardiac surgeries. As a result, a case has been filed against him under Sections 420, 465, 468, and 304 of the IPC (now Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita). A similar case has also been registered against the Apollo Hospital management. We are conducting a detailed investigation and will take strict action against the accused.”

The sections of the Indian Penal Code pertains to cheating, forgery, use of forged documents, culpable homicide and acts done by multiple parties.

According to police, Pradeep submitted his initial “written complaint on April 9”, later providing additional information, which prompted police to register the FIR late on Saturday. Pradeep had also approached authorities of Department of Health, Chhattisgarh, questioning how Yadav used fraudulent certificates and fake credentials to secure his position in the hospital.

Investigators said a thorough probe into the matter is going on; highlighting suspicions about how Yadav’s forged qualifications went unchecked.

Already in judicial custody at Damoh Jail until May 1, Yadav faces intensifying allegations.

Investigators accuse him of conducting 15 surgeries — seven of which reportedly resulted in fatalities — and masquerading as a European cardiologist under the pseudonym “Dr. N John Camm”.

The controversy deepened further after Damoh police registered a separate FIR based on a complaint from the Chief Medical and Health Officer, leading to Yadav’s immediate arrest in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on April 7.

He was presented in court, and authorities secured remand extensions to broaden the investigation.

A team from the National Human Rights Commission visited Damoh on April 9, meeting with victims’ families and other stakeholders to untangle the growing web of allegations.

As investigations continue, police authorities plan to obtain a production warrant to ensure Yadav is brought before the court to face justice.

–IANS

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Chennai, Feb 27 (IANS) In a relief to the fishing community in Tamil Nadu, 27 fishermen, arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), were released from prison and reached Chennai International Airport on Thursday.

The fishermen hailing from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam were received at the airport by Tamil Nadu fisheries department officials. They were then taken to their homes in vehicles arranged by the fisheries department. The released fishermen were arrested on different occasions, according to Tamil Nadu fisheries department officials.

It may be recalled that fishermen in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, have launched an indefinite strike since Monday (February 24), demanding the immediate release of their colleagues arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

As part of the protest, 700 mechanised boat fishermen have suspended operations, keeping their vessels docked along the shore. According to leaders of fishermen’s associations, the strike is expected to result in a daily revenue loss of approximately Rs one crore, impacting over 10,000 workers in the fishing industry.

A consultative meeting of mechanised boat fishermen’s associations was held on Sunday at the Rameswaram fishing harbour. The associations unanimously decided to halt fishing activities until the detained fishermen were released.

The protesters have urged the Indian government to take immediate action against the repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and to ensure their safety.

V.P. Sesuraja, president of the Traditional Indian Fishermen Welfare Association, stated that Tamil Nadu fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on four separate occasions this month alone. Since the beginning of 2025, a total of 119 fishermen and 16 boats have been apprehended.

Sesuraja also highlighted the financial strain on the families of the detained fishermen, who are often forced to pay hefty fines imposed by Sri Lankan authorities to secure their release. Fearing further arrests and boat seizures, many fishermen are now hesitant to venture into the sea.

In response, fishermen’s associations across Tamil Nadu are preparing for large-scale protests against the ongoing detentions and the confiscation of fishing boats. Antony John, a fishermen’s association leader, told IANS that associations in all coastal districts of Tamil Nadu will soon finalise a date for massive protests. He emphasised the need for the Union government to take immediate steps to secure the release of all detained fishermen, retrieve impounded boats, and establish a bilateral agreement with Sri Lanka to resolve the issue.

Additionally, fishermen’s associations have sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging swift diplomatic action to prevent mid-sea arrests and safeguard the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Rajagopal C.M., a fishermen’s leader from Thangachimadam, criticised the government’s inaction, noting that many detained fishermen remain in Sri Lankan prisons, leaving their families in financial distress. He pointed out that since 2018, around 270 trawlers have been impounded, further jeopardizing the fishermen’s ability to sustain their livelihood.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged the Central government to convene a Joint Working Group to find a permanent solution. In a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, CM Stalin highlighted the recent detention of 32 Indian fishermen and five boats by the Sri Lankan Navy. He expressed concern over the increasing frequency of such incidents despite repeated appeals to Colombo.

“The continued apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy has reached alarming levels. Since January 2025, there have been eight separate incidents, resulting in the arrest of 119 fishermen and the seizure of 16 boats,” CM Stalin wrote. The Chief Minister called for strong diplomatic steps to prevent further arrests and ensure the safety and security of Tamil fishermen.

–IANS

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